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  • The Nigerian Police Isn’t Your Friend

    The Nigerian Police Isn’t Your Friend

    I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again, a nationwide therapy session should be held for Nigerians because we’ve sadly become desensitised to many issues. Mass kidnappings now barely make news headlines; no one cares that a politician on murder charges won an election, and police officers and government officials brutalising security agents is simply another day at the office. 

    On Monday, April 17, 2023, the security agents and residents of Omole Estate Phase 2 saw the kind of crazy they weren’t prepared for. According to the estate’s laws, visitors in private or unbranded vehicles aren’t allowed in without producing a proper means of identification. 

    However, when officials of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) who pulled up in a private vehicle were asked to identify themselves, they ignored the security guards and tried to force their way through. Annoyed at being stopped, one official stepped down from the vehicle and assaulted the guards. And before they could even grasp what was happening, touts came from nowhere. They started beating up the estate’s security agents. 

    At this point, there was panic and chaos everywhere. When armed police officers finally arrived at the scene in a coaster bus and Hilux van, you’d think they’d try to defuse the situation or at least protect the security guards from being harassed, but we all know the Nigerian police is built different. They instead threatened to shoot the guards and tried to force one of them into the coaster bus. 

    The police and the touts eventually took over the estate and prevented people from going in or out of it. 

    You’d expect that this behaviour would be condemned by the government or the Police Force, but nothing has been said so far because human rights abuse in Nigeria is now, unfortunately, the norm. But, one lesson that can be learnt from this is if you’re ever in trouble, you have more chances of being saved by your village people than you do with the Nigerian police.

    What Else Happened this Week?

    Woman Sells Her Baby to Offset Bank Loan

    Debt is a trap that many Nigerians are falling into with the number of microfinance banks and loan apps available now. People do many crazy things to escape the shame and embarrassment of defaulting on a payment, but things are getting out of hand.

    On April 17, 2023, a complaint was lodged at the Ogun State Police Command by Nureni Rasaq, who reported that his wife left home with their 18-month-old baby to Lagos on March 15, 2023, but she returned without the baby. 

    The woman was arrested, and on interrogation, she confessed that she went to Lagos to raise enough money to pay her debt to a microfinance bank. While hawking on a certain day, she met a man who offered to buy her baby for the sum of ₦600,000 and she agreed.

    Investigations to recover the baby are underway, and the woman will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further questioning. 

    Video of the Week

    Question of the week

    Traditional worshippers are demanding that the federal government declares August 20 as a public holiday for them. Do you think the federal government will agree to this?

    Ehen one more thing…

    Have you ever heard of the Ekumeku War? It’s a story of how Igbo vigilantes resisted Britain for 31 years. Learn more about this Nigerian history here.

    Tolu Omotesho

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  • Wait First: Has Ogun State Received $1bn in Investments Under Dapo Abiodun?

    Wait First: Has Ogun State Received $1bn in Investments Under Dapo Abiodun?

    On October 14, 2022, Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun, said about 36 investment portfolios worth over $1 billion came into the state.

    He mentioned this at the inauguration of the Ogun State Investment and Facilitation Agency (OGUNINVEST). 

    “We have continued to reap bountiful harvests from our commitment as existing investments are thriving, and new investments are being attracted. As of today, we’ve been able to attract 36 new investments into Ogun State worth over a billion United States dollars and generated an estimated 40,000 jobs since the inception of OGUNINVEST,” he said.

    This claim came up again leading up to the Ogun State governorship election. The National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) referenced it without any evidence to back it up. This begs the obvious question: 

    Is Abiodun’s claim valid?

    [Dapo Abiodun / PM News]

    Verifying the claim

    Our partners, Fact CheckElections, looked into this claim. Here’s what they found:

    “The National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) released ‘Nigeria’s Capital Importation’ data for the four quarters of 2022. Ogun State and twenty-six others did not receive foreign investment in 2022.

    “Foreign investments in the country fell by 20.47 per cent ($1.37bn) from $6.7bn in 2021 to $5.33bn in 2022. Nigeria’s capital importation plunged to $1.06bn in Q4 2022 — down by 8.53%.

    “According to the NBS, only five out of the 36 states and the federal capital territory (FCT) attracted capital investments in Q4 2022.

    “For 2022, the report cumulatively showed that only Lagos and Abuja had investments of $billion at 3.61 and 1.63, respectively. Others were in the millions. Ogun had no investment in 2022, according to the NBS.”

    In 2022, the state claimed to have signed an MOU worth $400 million. However, Statisense showed that Ogun attracted only a $30.5m investment in four years (2019-2022).” This is far from $1bn as claimed.

    A civic organisation, Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI), has ranked Ogun State 28th with a score of 18 per cent on the level of transparency and accountability operational in managing public funds and implementing public policies in the State. 

    Verdict

    Abiodun’s claim that Ogun state attracted $1bn in investments during his first term in office is burnt dodo. There’s no evidence to support this claim.

    Join us on Twitter on April 25 at 6 p.m. to discuss Nigeria’s worrying rise as a cocaine trafficking hub.

    Stephen Agwaibor

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  • Finance 101 for New Nigerians in Canada – Abroad Life

    Finance 101 for New Nigerians in Canada – Abroad Life

    The Nigerian experience is physical, emotional, and sometimes international. No one knows it better than our features on #TheAbroadLife, a series where we detail and explore Nigerian experiences while living abroad.

    For this week’s Abroad Life, we’ve decided to give potential Canadian residents the do’s and don’ts on navigating their financial life in Canada, so you don’t have to. 

    Nigeria is not the easiest country to live in. Traffic jams, irregular power supply, unemployment, poverty etc are some of the many stumbling blocks in the average Nigerian’s way — which is why they are desperate to leave. 

    Canada, amongst other countries,  is one of the promised lands for a japa aspirant. But it’s not enough to travel there. How do you navigate important aspects like finances? 

    We decided to explain a tweet that broke it down for you, so you don’t have to:

    Setting up the BEST bank account 

    To set up a regular bank account, you’d need a visa or passport, immigration papers, Social Insurance Number (SIN) (if you have one) and address verification.

    This consists of a temporary residency permit, your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), or your work or study permit.

    However, you must know the rates involved to set up the best bank account. 

    Using newcomer rates from any bank is risky because there is a tendency to pay higher interest rates once the deal expires.

    To avoid this, use the website ratehub.ca to find banks that can give the best rates after your first-timer deal expires.

    Build up good credits 

    Unlike Nigeria, Western countries are very particular about credits and how one manages them. 

    Credit is a flexible form of finance that allows you to access a certain amount of money loaned (known as your credit limit) according to your needs, at any given time. 

    Credits are maintained when the user makes timely payments and doesn’t exceed the credit limit. Credits are necessary to buy a home, rent an apartment, or get a car loan.

    Get a secured credit card from your bank, and understand credit before using it.

    Always file your taxes 

    Unlike Nigeria, Canadians take accounts of government taxes very seriously. But as a newcomer, it could be difficult wrapping your head around the math. 

    Take advantage of free tax clinics and accountants and make them your best plugs. You can also contact the Canada Revenue Agency when in doubt. 

    Look out for the good paying jobs 

    Most new immigrants to Canada tend to take the first available job without research — which is not entirely the best. 

    Understand the Canadian job market, network with people, and get recognised certifications. Take a job that pays what you deserve. You can visit the website here for more steps to get a good-paying job in Canada.

    Chiamaka Dike

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  • Help! Ayetoro Community is Battling Extinction

    Help! Ayetoro Community is Battling Extinction

    For the past 20 years, Ayetoro has been ravaged yearly by sea surges claiming more than 50 per cent of the land and destroying properties worth millions of Naira. On April 19, 2023, the latest sea surge affected more than 200 homes and displaced thousands. To get a clearer picture of this entire situation, we’ll look at how this problem started in the first place.

    History of Ayetoro, Ondo state

    Ayetoro, located in the coastal region of Ilaje Local Government Area, Ondo state, was founded in 1947 by a group of Apostolic missionaries who claimed to have received a prophecy from God to move to a land near the sea. 

    Source: Twitter/Groovy@avogroovy

    The residents had a communal lifestyle, and by the 50s, the community rapidly developed so much that it became a tourist hub.

    Ayetoro before oil exploration
    Source: Twitter/Groovy@avogroovy

    Ayetoro’s serenity and beauty soon earned it the nickname “Happy City”, but everything changed when crude oil was discovered in the Ilaje LGA in 1952.

    The curse of crude oil

    At first, oil exploration wasn’t any cause for alarm until the water started getting polluted from oil spills that endangered aquatic life. It soon became impossible for residents to fish, which was their primary source of income. 

    Zikoko Citizen spoke with a former Ayetoro resident, Anthony, who informed us that before the problem of sea incursion started, there was at least a distance of 1 km between the sea and houses, and children played at the seashores. However, currently, Ayetoro has no more shores, and this has caused many fishers in the town to relocate. 

    Additionally, global warming has contributed to the rising sea levels, causing surges that have damaged over 500 buildings, including houses, schools and even cemeteries. 

    Source: Premium Times/Mojeed Alabi

    What has the government done so far?

    In 2004, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) awarded the Ayetoro Shoreline Protection Project contract to Gallet Nigeria Limited. This contract was worth 6.4 billion Naira, and 25% was paid upfront to these contractors, but no work was carried out on the project. 

    In 2009, the contract was re-awarded to Dredging Atlantic Limited at the cost of 6.5 billion Naira. A mobilisation fee of 2.5 billion Naira was paid, but it’s 14 years after, and Dredging Atlantic are nowhere close to starting this project. 

    What’s mind-boggling is that the government hasn’t prosecuted these contractors yet. This has raised the question of whether the government is complicit in this seeming fraud case or they’re choosing to turn a blind eye to the community’s problems. 

    In 2009, the then-deputy governor of Ondo state, Agboola Ajayi, embarked on a trip to the Netherlands with two representatives of Ayetoro. They intended to study how the Dutch, who once faced a similar problem, reclaimed their land. But unfortunately, nothing came out of this.

    The Ondo state government, in June 2021, said it was looking to partner with stakeholders, i.e. the World Bank, Federal Ministry of Environment, and other ecological partners, to find a long-term solution to the sea incursion problem. However, it’s been almost two years, and… crickets.

    Anthony informed Citizen that Ayetoro residents campaigned and visited the Ondo State Ministry of Environment several times to address this problem. And he’d like the Ondo state government, in partnership with the federal government, to re-award the contract and mobilise the contractors to ensure execution. 

    In 2006, Ayetoro had about 30,000 residents, but the population has depleted to 5,000. These people are on the verge of losing their ancestral homes, and, unfortunately, the Ondo state government continues to handle this situation with a lackadaisical attitude. 

    Tolu Omotesho

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  • Navigating Nigeria: The Art of Surviving Mugging in Lagos

    Navigating Nigeria: The Art of Surviving Mugging in Lagos

    For Navigating Nigeria this week, Citizen spoke to Pascal* and Folake* who told their stories of being mugged. For Pascal, staying calm while being robbed is the “smart” thing to do. Folake’s experience taught her that this is Nigeria, where you should “expect anything.”

    Editorial Note: Navigating Nigeria is a platform for Nigerians to passionately discuss the Nigerian experience with little interference to individual opinions. While our editorial standards emphasise the truth and we endeavour to fact-check claims and allegations, we do not bear any responsibility for allegations made about other people founded in half-truths.

    Pascal*

    I was a student at UNILAG at the time. This was in September 2015. My friend and I went to see a friend at the Radiography Hall. It’s a part of UNILAG but outside the school gates and much closer to the Yaba environs. She had thrown a small birthday party, and we turned up. 

    We left a bit late, around 9 p.m., but not “Lagos life late”, if you know what I mean. I remember telling my friend that we should take a bus back to school, and he was like, “Which bus? Let’s walk this thing, jare.” Because at the end of the day, that’s what my guy always does: he believes he can leg any distance. To be fair to him, though, waiting for a bus would have taken a lot of time, so I agreed and decided to walk.

    We had passed underneath that overhead bridge at WAEC junction when my friend heard someone shout at him from a distance as though he had recognised him. It was dark, and it was a poorly lit road. We should have picked up the pace and made a run for it had we known what was coming, but my friend, thinking it was a case of mistaken identity, responded that they had the wrong person. 

    Big mistake

    The next thing we knew, two guys were on us. I faintly recall one of them, fair-complexioned, in a white shirt and looking so haggard. He dipped into my friend’s shorts and picked up his phone while struggling with another assailant. I had a small iPhone then, but it looked like the thieves were in a hurry and didn’t hassle me much. 

    Another guy was walking along that road who looked like he was keeping watch, and I suspected he was among them. I had to tell my friend to let go when they held a broken bottle to his neck— he didn’t know.

    My friend was still furious and was fighting them when the third guy joined them. I could tell he was reaching for something in his pocket, although I couldn’t say what, maybe a knife or a gun. 

    Or perhaps he was bluffing. 

    I’m naturally calm, and the way I read the situation, fighting there wasn’t worth the danger. So I convinced my guy to free the phone, which he did. It was late, and the road was lonely. Getting back to school safely was the priority.

    I laughed when I replayed the incident in my head the next day. I was thinking, what if my friend had died that day? What would have been the story? That we went to see Babe and got stabbed on the way back? I was thinking of the narratives that could have come up, like how we should have stayed in school and not gone outside. This would’ve been funny because my friend and I were doing great at school, and the one time when we decided to take a break, we nearly paid dearly for it.

    We joked about it for a long time, as guys do, but things could have gone sideways in an instant. Looking back, my reaction to the whole thing was fair and calm. Since it was at night and these guys were confident enough to mug us, letting go was smart.

    Folake*

    My mugging experience happened in Ajah around December 2019. I was heading for work at about 4:30 a.m. This was the best time to leave home to beat heavy traffic. I remember feeling very reluctant to go to work that day, but I had no choice as it was a weekday. I left home singing. On my way to the bus stop, I saw a group of boys ahead of me, but I thought they were regular people returning from a party. They were in my path, so I passed between them. 

    Immediately, one of them said, “Hey, come here”. I hissed because I thought they were teasing. Before I could even turn to see who called, I saw the other guys with knives telling me to give them my bag. I had to surrender my bag to them because I didn’t want to get stabbed. 

    Damn

    They took my phone, which I had just bought, my ATM card, shoes and some money I planned to deposit at the bank that day. I was lost and confused for about five minutes. I saw them as they left. It took a while to dawn on me that they’d taken everything from me and that I had nothing left. I didn’t know when I started running. I ran to the bus stop. When I arrived, I began begging people to help me, telling them I had been robbed. Nobody responded. I went to the main road to cry for help; no one was willing to help. 

    I didn’t report the incident at the police station because I knew that if I did, they wouldn’t bother to do anything about it. You know the Nigerian police nau. They’ll ask you to write a statement and ask you to cough up money, and nothing will come out of it.

    I returned home sad. After the incident, I felt terrible for two days. But then I told myself this is Nigeria, where you should expect anything. I later got a new phone and continued with my life.

    *Name changed to protect their identity.

    Join us on Twitter on April 25 at 6 p.m. to discuss Nigeria’s worrying rise as a cocaine trafficking hub.

    Stephen Agwaibor

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  • Why We Should Pay More Attention to Child Rape in Nigeria

    Why We Should Pay More Attention to Child Rape in Nigeria

    From victims of revenge porn to young girls having their breasts flattened, Citizen has reported several sexual assault cases over the last few weeks.

    This is important in documenting abuse patterns on women and children in Nigeria.

    Like today’s sad sexual assault case on child rape — only that this time, justice got served. 

    But what happened?

    The ‘Bread and Beans’ rape case 

    Our story started on August 16, 2017. 

    The offender, a 40-year-old man named Kehinde Gabriel, ambushed a 3-year-old girl [whose name has been retracted] in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State.

    Gabriel, the victim’s neighbour, lured her to his apartment with an offer of bread, beans and a drink before raping her. According to her mother, the girl came home crying, adding that blood was found in her private parts.

    She said, “She went to the mosque with her other sisters that day. After some minutes of crying, she returned home with a bottle of drink and bread. 

    “I asked her what was wrong, and she said Uncle Kehinde (Gabriel) had given the items to her. She was running a temperature. While her father and I checked her body, we saw blood in her private parts.”

    Gabriel’s response to this was one of denial. He said he had only interacted with the little girl because she “was crying from hunger.”

    He was arrested and later taken to the Ikeja Magistrate Court on August 28, 2017, for trial. According to Police Prosecutor Inspector Simeon Imhonwa, the accused had broken Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    What does this Law say?

    According to the Criminal Law of Lagos State, “any person who has sexual intercourse with a child (under 18 years) commits a felony and is liable on conviction to imprisonment for life.”

    How bad is child rape in Nigeria?

    Very bad — and also very disturbing. According to the “Violence Against Children Survey”, a 2014 National Population Commission report, one in four young girls experience sexual violence.

    Sadly, many sex assault cases tend to remain in court without resolution. In March 2022, the Minister of Women’s Affairs, Pauline Tallen, reported 646 cases of sexual violence, with 327 offenders convicted and 327 cases still in court.

    HumAngle also reported in 2022 that only 10 out of 36 states in Nigeria keep sex offender registers. The sex offender register is a database of all convicted sex offenders in a state, with the offender’s address, physical appearance, and criminal history. 

    These cases are not frequently updated. If a sex offender was released from jail, he could commit sexual crimes without getting caught.

    Luckily, justice got served in this case 

    Six years after the incident, the Lagos Sexual and Domestic Violence Court sentenced Kehinde Gabriel to life imprisonment.

    Justice Ramon A. Oshodi presided over this court and found him guilty of the one-count charge of defilement. He described him as “a person of no truth who has no remorse for what he did”.

    How to support child rape victims

    Even though the little girl avenged her rape legally, many rape victims are not lucky and still need your support.

    To support victims of child rape, please contact the Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency at 08000333333. You can email them – info@lagosdsva.org. 

    You can visit the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) for national complaints. View their website to find the branch closest to you, or call +234 708 849 6115

    Chiamaka Dike

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  • Why Did INEC Announce A Fake Result in Adamawa?

    Why Did INEC Announce A Fake Result in Adamawa?

    The 2023 general elections had many surprises, and for Adamawa state, more election drama is set to unfold in the coming weeks.

    Adamawa’s governorship elections caught the interest of many Nigerians because of its potential to produce Nigeria’s first female elected governor if Aishatu “Binani” Dahiru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emerge victorious. However, her opponent is the state’s incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    On the D-day of the March 18 governorship elections, Fintiri was in the lead with 421,524 votes, and Binani trailed behind with 390,275 votes. But, the election was declared inconclusive for two reasons:

    • The vote margin (i.e. 31,249 votes) between Fintiri and Binani exceeded the cancelled votes.
    • Due to electoral violence and overvoting, elections were cancelled in 69 polling units which affected about 37,016 potential voters.

    On March 27, 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced that supplementary polls would be held on April 15, 2023.

    However, it’s unfortunate that the supplementary elections conducted in Adamawa can be described as a show of shame. We will break down some key things that happened during the elections.

    Journalists weren’t allowed to observe the collation process

    It’s customary for journalists to cover the collation process in every election, but armed security officers prevented journalists from entering the collation centre during the supplementary elections in Adamawa state. When asked why, the security officials said it was “an order from above”. 

    A winner was declared before the conclusion of the collation process

    The results of the elections started trickling in, and it showed Fintiri in the lead in 10 out of 20 local governments. But, the Returning Officer suspended the collation process at 1 a.m. and said the results announcement would resume by 11 a.m. the next day, April 16. 

    However, the state’s INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Hudu Ari, shocked Nigeria when by 9 a.m., he announced Aishatu Binani as the winner of the governorship elections. 

    According to Sections 64 and 65 of the Electoral Act, the winner of an election can only be announced by a Returning Officer appointed by INEC, but it looks like Hudu decided to take matters into his own hands.

    Aishatu Binani gave an acceptance speech

    While many Nigerians were still trying to figure out the magic happening in Adamawa, Binani hurriedly gave an acceptance speech thanking the people for electing her. She also said her win would encourage other women to participate in politics. 

    INEC annuls the declaration

    As we already said, only a Returning Officer has the right to declare the winner of an election. INEC condemned the action of the REC and described it as a “usurpation of the power of the returning officer”. The declaration of Aishatu Binani as the Adamawa state election’s winner was rendered null and void, and the election process was suspended.

    Hudu Ari might be looking at jail time

    The seemingly rogue REC, Hudu Ari, has been summoned to the INEC headquarters in Abuja. According to Section 120(4) of the Electoral Act 2022, he might be sentenced to 36 months imprisonment for announcing a false result.

    On April 18, 2023, INEC announced that it hopes to close the controversial chapter on Adamawa’s governorship elections by Thursday, April 20, 2023. Nonetheless, the 2023 general elections have shown us so far that there are a lot of internal issues INEC needs to work on because it’s almost as clear as day that they’re too compromised to trust with conducting free and fair elections in Nigeria. 

    Tolu Omotesho

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  • Ekumeku War: How Igbo Vigilantes Resisted Britain for 31 Years

    Ekumeku War: How Igbo Vigilantes Resisted Britain for 31 Years

    Welcome to Citizen History, your weekly time machine to Nigeria’s political past. It’s all about the facts: where we’ve gone wrong and how we can fix it today. 

    When the British Empire (through the Royal Niger Company) came to Nigeria and started gaining influence in 1807, they only had one mission — to gain control of all of Nigeria’s economic resources. 

    And they did get control of these resources— mostly through force. This brute force was applied across the protectorates and colony later known as Nigeria. 

    This is the story of how one tribal group resisted the British army, in a way they had never seen before.

    From the Rev. R.H. Stone’s memoir ‘‘In Afric’s Forest and Jungle, 1899. [Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, the New York Public Library]

    The rarely documented struggle between the British and a united, underground Igbo resistance group called the Ekumeku lasted for 31 years. 

    The origins of the Ekumeku Movement 

    In the late 1880s, shortly after the Berlin Conference of 1884-1885 —where European superpowers partitioned African countries— the Royal Niger Company (RNC) —a British firm trading in the Niger area— was expanding their domination from Lagos towards Western Igboland, which included the Niger Delta and Asaba. 

    While British traders were doing business with locals before the Conference, the power dynamics shifted even further in the coloniser’s favour after the Conference.

    They made all the laws, determined trading; with whom to trade, how much to trade, and lived as overlords in places where they were only welcomed through the force of their guns.

    There were claims that “RNC exploited its monopoly far in excess of what it could have made in a free-trade situation, and spread terror, visiting the slightest whiff of local dissent with venom.

    “In 1888, half of Asaba was decimated, and Obosi (a day’s walk away in what is now Anambra state) was razed to the ground the following year. In both cases the RNC alleged that the Asaba and Obosi people were involved in human sacrifice, hence the high-handed treatment.

    “To ‘stop human sacrifice,’ the soldiers lived off the people’s livestock and food crops, and sexually assaulted the women. This led to a lot of resentment.”

    Why was the Niger Delta special in the 1800s?

    The British were attracted to the Niger Delta —then called the Oil Rivers Protectorate—because of its resource: palm oil. But why was it such an asset?

    In the 19th century, Palm Oil was useful for many industrial processes. It was used as an industrial lubricant in tin-plate production, street-lighting, and as the fatty semi-solid for candle making and soap production. Palm oil made certain breakthroughs in soap chemistry and production possible.

    Igbo men in the Oil Rivers area of present-day Nigeria bring calabashes full of palm oil to sell to a European buyer, c. 1900  [Jonathan Adagogo Green / The Trustees of the British Museum]

    A palm oil factory likely in either Opobo or Bonny of Niger Delta, c. late 19th century [Jonathan Adagogo Green / The Trustees of the British Museum]

    Now, let’s get back to the story

    Despite their brash treatment of locals, the British were surprised to meet resistance from locals. These were located across the country and far into Igbo land in the east. But the ones that stunned the armed Brits were the Anioma people of present-day Delta State.

    The Aniomas had gotten word of how the British established courts, introduced Christianity, and even selected local chiefs against the people’s will in other places. For the Aniomas, this was unacceptable. And they were not going down without a fight. So they went to war.

    A British attack on Ndoni village in 1870 and Onicha-Ado in 1897 set the pace for the rest of the war as one of guns and bloodshed. The war would last in two waves: 1883-1902 when the locals first organised and fought back, and from 1904-1914. 

    The Ekumeku Movement of 1883 [Google Sites]

    The Ekumeku movement (meaning “don’t speak about it”) was comprised of the “otu okorobia”. These were young men from various Igbo villages and the nearby Niger Delta communities. They formed the Ekumeku secret organisation, the vigilante group which fought the British. 

    The name was given due to the stealth which the men used to fight. Unlike the British soldiers and mercenaries, who had great firepower, the locals were limited in the scope of weaponry. They instead devised guerrilla attacking styles: which took the Brits by surprise, leading to a series of defeats.

    The strength and downfall of the Ekumeku

    The strength of the movement simply lay in unity, skill and numbers. Before 1883, the Aniocha had a dispute with the Igbuzo clan, which had lasted for decades. 

    But seeing the power of British arms and ammunition, they decided that they could not fight the war individually. The tribes instead decided to make an alliance. 

    Other kingdoms such as Onicha-Ado (now present day Onitsha), also joined the movement. 

    Ekumeku Warriors [Opinion Nigeria]

    However, Britain’s superiority in firearms would eventually come to play as the war protracted. 

    In December 1902, the British laid a preemptive strike which destroyed a large number of towns and imprisoned their leaders. As British officers were burning villages accused of taking part in the resistance, the resistance cooled off at this point. This was presumably to regroup.

    In 1904, the Ekumeku rose again, but they defended their towns instead of fighting together as they once did. Despite their skills in combat, the British found it easier to destroy their homelands. 

    European Weapons of Imperialism [Google Arts and Culture]

    In 1911, a roundup of Ekumeku leaders led to imprisonments. By 1914 when Nigeria’s Northern and Southern Protectorates and the Colony of Lagos were joined as one country, the Ekumeku fire had only started to die. 

    There are no official record on locals killed during the resistance, but it was one of the most devastating resistance to British occupation in Nigeria, leading to the death of a commander; H.C. Chapman. 

    The colonial government’s Collective Punishment Ordinance (CPO) – a law to punish an entire village suspected of entertaining the activities of the Ekumeku, was pivotal to ensuring the resistance did not return a third time.

    The impact of the Ekumeku Movement

    It served as an inspiration for other countries. Many historians believe that the Ekumeku Movement inspired the Kenyan Mau Mau Rebellion of 1952.

    While it is not often spoken of, the Ekumeku Movement proves that the ancestors didn’t take their chains lying down.

    Chiamaka Dike

    , , ,

  • Why FG May Give Up on 25-Year-Long OPL 245 Wahala

    Why FG May Give Up on 25-Year-Long OPL 245 Wahala

    On April 29 1998, the federal government of Nigeria awarded an Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 245 to Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd. for $20 million. The license covers a defined deep-water offshore area over 1,000 m below sea level and approximately 150 km off the Niger Delta.

    As awards go, however, this has turned out to be a poisoned chalice. It’s been a constant source of litigation for successive governments due to allegations surrounding fraud and corruption in awarding the licence. The FG may have finally thrown in the towel based on the latest reports. 

    The Cable has reported that Abubakar Malami, the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) and minister of justice, has written a memo to President Muhammadu Buhari asking the federal government to end all cases relating to OPL-245 because it has little chance of winning.

    Timeline of events

    Here’s a timeline of key events over the last 25 years.

    April 1998

    The FG awards OPL 245 for $20 million to Malabu Oil and Gas. The company belonged to Dan Etete, an associate of the former head of state, Sani Abacha and a former petroleum minister who served between 1995 and 1998. Etete awarded the license to himself using false identities.

    [Dan Etete (right)  /  picture-alliance/dpa/G. Barbara]

    May 1999

    Nigeria is in its Fourth Republic under the administration of Olusegun Obasanjo. On behalf of Malabu, Etete pays $2.04 million for the OPL 245 licence out of the $20 million the company had agreed to pay.

    March 2001 

    Shell signs an agreement to acquire a 40 per cent stake in OPL 245 from Malabu. The agreement was on the condition that Shell would pay the outstanding $18 million to the FG.

    July 2001

    The FG revokes Malabu’s OPL 245 licence. This sets off a series of litigations over its ownership.

    May 2002

    Shell informs Malabu that its contracts have been frustrated by the revocation of the licence. Shell is officially awarded 40 per cent of OPL 245. It starts exploration and appraisal work and later signed a production-sharing deal with the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). Under the deal, Shell Nigeria Ultra Deep (SNUD) agrees to pay a $209 million signature bonus, placed in an escrow account until the Malabu dispute is resolved.

    August 2002

    Shell goes to the International Court of Arbitration (ICC) to file a case against Malabu based on terms of the March 2001 agreement.

    May 2003

    The House of Representatives (HOR) orders Shell to pay Malabu $550m for damages resulting from the revocation of the OPL 245 license. It also asks the FG to return the licence to Malabu. The FG refuses to comply.

    November 2004

    The ICC rules in favour of Shell.

    November 2006

    Malabu settles with the FG. It agrees to pay $218 million to the FG in return for the licence being fully reinstated to Malabu. Malabu, however, fails to pay.

    April 2007

    Shell (SNUD) commences Bilateral Investment Treaty arbitration against the FG for wrongful expropriation.

    August 2007

    The FGN promises Shell a new prospecting licence in other blocks, worth 50 per cent of OPL 245. Shell declines.

    2008 

    The FG seeks a resolution, and negotiations commence.

    December 2010

    Mohammed Abacha, son of the former head of state, enters the ring. He launches a legal challenge arguing that Etete pushed him out of his partial ownership of Malabu.

    2010

    Eni proposes to Malabu and Shell to buy a stake in OPL 245. Malabu refuses. 

    April 29, 2011

    Malabu, Shell, Eni, and the FG reach a resolution. Malabu agrees to hand OPL 245 back to the government for $1.092 billion. Shell and Eni agree to pay the FG $1.092 billion and a signature bonus of $208 million, bringing the total payment for OPL 245 to $1.3 billion.

    [An oil rig / The Cable]

    May 20, 2011

    The $1.092 billion is placed in an escrow account opened by the FG with JP Morgan Bank. $875 million is transferred to Malabu bank accounts.

    2011

    A former Russian diplomat Ednan Agaev, claims Malabu owed him millions of dollars for arranging meetings with Shell and Eni.

    2014

    The HOR votes to cancel the OPL 245 deal.

    December 2017

    FG sues JP Morgan in London for its role in transferring the $875 million to Etete’s Malabu, alleging negligence.

    May 2018

    The main trial in Milan starts. 

    April 2019 

    A Nigerian judge issues arrest warrants for Dan Etete.

    November 2020

    A London judge rules that the Nigerian lawsuit against JP Morgan can go to a six-week trial.

    March 17, 2021 

    A Milan court acquits all the defendants in the Italian trial.

    What did Malami tell Buhari?

    In the AGF’s memo to Buhari dated February 6, he listed a lengthy series of losses that the FG has faced over the OPL-245 matter. They included defeats in the UK, US and Italy, where the courts ruled in favour of Eni and dismissed any fraud cases against Eni and JP Morgan.

    Malami asked Buhari to settle all civil and commercial cases between the FG and Eni and to convert the OPL to an Oil Mining License (OML), which, in Malami’s words, would help Nigeria take “advantage of the fast-disappearing opportunities in the oil exploration industry.”

    What else should I know?

    [Mohammed Abacha / Channels]

    The case involving Mohammed Abacha hasn’t been resolved. The EFCC is recommending that Eni pays $500m to the Abacha family. A former AGF, Mohammed Adoke, in 2017 said that even if Abacha had a claim to the oil field, he had to forfeit them to the FG.

    His words: “By Decree No 53, the (Abacha) family had forfeited all identified assets to the federal government. All undeclared assets were also forfeited.

    “People should ask if, in a decent country, the children of Abacha could come out openly to say ‘we own OPL 245’ when their father awarded the oil block. Should they have been so confident to lay that kind of a claim?

    “Why has the EFCC not gone after them to ask how they acquired an interest in OPL 245? If not that the political environment is conducive for them, they wouldn’t raise their head to be making such claims.”

    It remains to be seen if Buhari will approve this $500m payment to Abacha or whether he’ll pass the ball to the new administration. Whatever the case, it’s a relief that Nigeria can have some closure over the controversial OPL-245.

    Stephen Agwaibor

    , , , , , , ,

  • The Dangerous Breast Ironing Practice that Won’t Go Away

    The Dangerous Breast Ironing Practice that Won’t Go Away

    According to the Nigerian Council of Women Societies (NCWS), 138 cases of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) were reported in 2022, with a prevalence of 19.2% of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). 

    This is the harsh reality that female teenagers and even girls as young as eight years old face in Nigeria due to inhumane practices carried out on them just because of one thing — their gender.

    And one of these practices is breast ironing.

    What is breast ironing?

    Also known as breast flattening, it involves using a heated object against a girl’s breast to stop or delay its development. The heated material could be a grinding stone, cast iron, coconut shell, hammer or spatula.

    The alternative is to wrap the breasts tightly with a belt or cloth until the breasts are entirely flattened or suppressed. The process could take several weeks.


    RECOMMENDED: What to Do When You’re A Victim of Revenge Porn

    Why is breast ironing practised?

    According to the Africa Health Organisation (AHO), the belief behind breast ironing is that it “saves the female” from rape, harassment and early forced marriage. In other words, make the girl less attractive, and she will not be a victim.

    But that has never stopped abusers from attacking women and girls of all ages.

    Why breast ironing is counter-productive

    It doesn’t stop GBV— rather, GBV numbers rise. The United Nations (UN) data states that breast ironing affects 3.8 million women worldwide. It has been identified as one of the five under-reported crimes relating to GBV.

    Official figures from the Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS) reveal 31.9% of Nigerian women aged between 15 and 49 years have experienced gender-based violence (GBV) since they were 15.

    The World Health Organization (WHO) further revealed that every year, there are an estimated 41,000 homicide deaths in children under 18 years of age. Some of these deaths are likely due to child maltreatment.

    This number means that breast ironing, like every other violence against the female gender, can lead to deaths, showing the true extent of the problem.

    What are its effects?

    Asides from death, the practice tends to bring about health problems such as cancer, tissue damage, abscesses, itching, and breast infections, which could interfere with breastfeeding and even the complete disappearance of one or both breasts.

    This also affects their mental health negatively. According to mental health experts, child abuse influences the brain and results in psychological challenges. Traumatic experiences affect the child’s mental health. Victims face elevated stress levels, psycho-emotional problems, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, depression, and even suicide attempts.”

    How can one stop the practice?

    The process of breast ironing is dangerous, and despite the Violence Against Persons Act of 2015 being in existence, gender-based violence crimes like these are still on the rise.

    If you know anyone who could be a victim (or potential victim) of breast ironing, please contact the National Council of Women’s Societies (NCWS) at +234 8139750698 or email ncwsnigeria@gmail.com

    Chiamaka Dike

    , ,

  • #BringBackOurGirls: Nine Years After

    #BringBackOurGirls: Nine Years After

    Do you remember this interview? 

    That was former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, commiserating with parents shortly after April 14, 2014, when Boko Haram terrorists abducted 276 girls from the Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno state. 

    Over the past nine years, these schoolgirls have been assaulted and forced into “marriages” with their abductors; the Christians were also forced to convert to Islam by the terrorists. While over 100 of them have been released and some placed on scholarship, the whereabouts of others are still unknown.

    How everything started

    The attacks on Northern Nigeria by the Boko Haram terror group reached a head in 2014, with about 7000 deaths recorded between July 2013 and June 2014. Schools were not exempt from these attacks as this terrorist group believes Western education is forbidden. As a result, many schools in the region were shut down. 

    However, Chibok hadn’t been attacked before and was therefore believed to be safe, so the West African Senior School Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) were going to be held as planned. But, in a sad turn of events, on April 14, 2014, the town was attacked late at night; the school’s dormitories were raided, and 276 girls were kidnapped and loaded into lorries. 

    57 of these girls managed to escape by jumping off the lorries and running into bushes, but 219 were taken away. 

    What has the government done so far?

    The incident sparked local and international outrage from world leaders, human rights activists and advocates. A series of protests were held under the hashtag “#BringBackOurGirls”, and the Safe Schools initiative was launched in Abuja to provide and promote safe zones for education.

    It wasn’t until nearly two years later, in October 2016,  that we saw the first mass release of just 21 girls following negotiations between the terrorist group and the federal government. Between October 2016 and January 2017, three more girls obtained freedom from their captives; in May 2017, another 82 girls were freed. And on June 22, 2022, the military recovered two more girls.

    While we await the return of these girls, to mark the nine-year anniversary of this tragedy, a short film titled “Boy Meets Girl” premiered on April 13, 2023. This film, written by Kaelo Iyizo and co-produced by Conrad Omodiagbe and Adnan Ali, showed how Boko Haram uses the abducted schoolgirls as suicide bombers. 

    What has happened to the girls who have been freed?

    According to a report by HumAngle Media, about 106 of the released girls received a scholarship from the federal government to study at the American University of Nigeria, (AUN), and about ten girls are also studying in the United States. 

    At the AUN, the government covered the cost of tuition, accommodation and feeding with a monthly allowance of ₦25,000 (formerly ₦8,000). However, given Nigeria’s inflation, the allowance was hardly enough. Other essential needs like books and levies placed by student associations weren’t covered. Also, they struggled to participate in class and keep up with assignments as they had no access to good phones or computers. 

    Even more, the girls struggled with cultural barriers and had to face segregation from students and lecturers. 

    These issues made it difficult for most of them to continue their education and pursue their dreams, and so, about 28 of these girls dropped out. 

    Tragically, this incident wasn’t a one-off. Since then, other students have also fallen victim to mass kidnappings, for instance, the Dapchi girls in Yobe state, 2018 and more recently, the 80 children abducted on April 7, 2023, in Tsafe Local Government, Zamfara state.

    The safe return of the girls still in Boko Haram custody should be prioritised. The federal government should double its efforts to ensure children in the North can safely exercise their rights to education, as this is one way to safeguard that region’s future.

    Tolu Omotesho

    , ,

  • 13 Million More Nigerians Will Enter Poverty by 2025 – World Bank

    13 Million More Nigerians Will Enter Poverty by 2025 – World Bank

    A French saying goes, “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” A Nigerian might as well have originated this quote, and it’d still ring true. 

    A new administration will lead Nigeria on May 29, 2023. However, age-old problems remain, and as the latest World Bank report shows, things aren’t looking promising, as 13 million Nigerians are projected to fall into poverty by 2025.

    We went through the report and highlighted key findings from it.

    Nigeria’s macroeconomic stability is severely weakened

    The “Macro Poverty Outlook for Nigeria” report disclosed what every Nigerian knows — that our economy is a shambles. The report reads, “Oil price booms have previously supported the Nigerian economy, but this hasn’t happened since 2021. 

    “Instead, macroeconomic stability has weakened amidst declining oil production, costly fuel subsidies, exchange rate distortions, and monetisation of the fiscal deficit. The deteriorating economic environment is leaving millions of Nigerians in poverty. Risks are tilted to the downside given the lack of macro-fiscal reforms, the naira demonetisation, and an uncertain external outlook.”

    What does that mean?

    To explain the jargon, the report says that Nigeria, which used to be heavily dependent on oil revenue, no longer gets enough money because its production capacity has dropped. Other issues like fuel subsidies, multiple exchange rates and high government borrowing have turned the economy upside down. The result? Nigeria’s future looks “uncertain”.

    The infographic above shows macroeconomic indicators from 2014 and projected into 2024. That orange wavy line you see is oil price over the years. From 2015 there was a slump which picked up slightly in 2018 but fell in 2020, which, as you’ve guessed, was when the pandemic hit hard. 

    In 2021 there was a sharp rise due to the Russian-Ukraine war. Almost every oil-producing country reaped from the oil windfall as demand peaked. We say “almost” because Nigeria was the notable exception. The light blue line below the orange one is Nigeria’s revenue which tells its own story. As oil prices were soaring, revenues were dwindling. A truly astonishing feat that shows the Nigerian government’s uncanny ability to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. 

    [President Buhari / Daily Nigerian]

    The dark blue line is our GDP growth which the World Bank says will grow by an underwhelming average of 2.9 per cent per year between 2023 and 2025.

    ALSO READ: Nigeria’s Unemployment Jumps from 33.3% to 41% in Three Years

    Grim outlook

    The report describes Nigeria as “more fragile than before the late 2021 global oil price boom.” The World Bank reports Nigeria’s debt is over 38 per cent of GDP. In 2022, 96.3 per cent of our revenue was used to service debt. 

    Between now and 2025, our population is expected to grow, on average, by 2.4 per cent annually. Given that GDP growth will be at 2.9 per cent for that same period, that’s not encouraging. Our economic growth rate should be outpacing our population growth rate by far to have any chance of lifting Nigerians from poverty.

    On poverty, the World Bank said: “With Nigeria’s population growth continuing to outpace poverty reduction and persistently high inflation, the number of Nigerians living below the national poverty line will rise by 13 million between 2019 and 2025 in the baseline projection.” 

    To provide a sense of where we are, the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said in November 2022 that 133 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty. That number is expected to rise by millions. 

    The World Bank said fiscal and debt pressures would increase if the petrol subsidy is not phased out in June 2023. It recently gave the federal government a loan of $800 million, which it’ll use as petrol palliative by disbursing cash to 50 million Nigerians. How effective that’ll be is anyone’s guess. 

    Way forward

    Besides phasing out fuel subsidies, the World Bank has advised the following: 

    1. Increasing oil and non-oil revenues,
    2. Tightening monetary policies to reduce inflation and;
    3. Unifying the multiple FX windows and adopting a single, market-responsive exchange rate.

    This heavy burden falls on whoever assumes office on May 29, and it’s one hell of a job. We wish them good luck as they’ll need every ounce of it.

    Stephen Agwaibor

    , ,

  • Unlike in Gangs of Lagos, Eyo Masquerade Doesn’t Like Violence

    Unlike in Gangs of Lagos, Eyo Masquerade Doesn’t Like Violence

    We’ve been noticing a trend in Nollywood where it seems like the darkest political secrets of Lagos are being brought to light. In the Netflix series, Shantytown, we saw an influential politician in charge of prostitution rings, thugs and drug trafficking; frighteningly similar to the Commander-in-Chief of the agbado army. 

    On April 7, 2023, a movie titled Gangs of Lagos was released that gave insight into how thugs in Isale-Eko, Lagos, are used during Nigerian elections. However, there has been outrage from the Lagos state government recently over a scene that portrayed the Eyo masquerade as a villain. 

    The Isale Eko Descendants Union released a statement on April 12, 2023, saying the movie defamed Isale Eko and the Eyo masquerade. On the same day, the Lagos state government called the film a total abomination derogating Yoruba culture. 

    What’s amusing is that the Lagos state government is paying more attention to the “misinterpretation” of the Eyo masquerade than violence during elections which was the movie’s focal point. 

    Is the government intentionally turning a blind eye to the message Gangs of Lagos tried to pass, or is the outrage from them performative because Nollywood is hitting too close to home this time? 

    What else happened this week? 

    NUPENG Raises Red Flag Over Fuel Subsidy Removal

    When it comes to Nigeria, problem no dey finish. On January 5, 2023, the Minister of Finance, Budget, and National Planning reminded us again that by mid-2023, the federal government would  cease fuel subsidies. This means we’ll pay up to three times more than the current fuel price.

    However, the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) is warning the federal government that it may be over its head as our local refineries still aren’t operating fully. As a result, the removal of fuel subsidy might have negative economic impacts on Nigerians that the government is unprepared for. 

    Hopefully, the government will work towards this and put the right structures in place to ensure that when fuel subsidies are finally removed, we won’t be plunged into multidimensional suffering. 

    Video of the week

    Question of the week

    Nigeria’s president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was listed on the Times 100 most influential list of 2023. On a scale of “this is a win for Nigeria” to “everyone is on drugs”; what do you think about this?

    Ehen one more thing…

    There was an unfortunate accident on April 13, 2023, where a seven-story building collapsed in Banana Island, Lagos. Here’s everything to know about the tragedy.

    Game of Votes solely aims to break down and pique your interest in politics, policies and governance. How have we done so far? Please give your feedback by filling out this form. Thank youuu!

    Tolu Omotesho

    , , ,

  • Wait First: Did the FG Secure Peter Obi’s Release from Detention?

    Wait First: Did the FG Secure Peter Obi’s Release from Detention?

    On April 13, 2023, Adamu Garba, a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), tweeted an image of the Chair of Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, with the Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi. He claimed that the APC had helped secure Obi’s release from detention in the UK after travelling with fake documents.

    The tweet has amassed over 2.7 million views. 

    On Wait First, we divide claims into three categories. A valid claim is fresh banana. A false claim is burnt dodo, and a misleading claim is cold zobo. So what’s the status of this claim?

    According to a report by Premium Times, Obi was detained in London by UK immigration officials for alleged impersonation. A statement by the Head Obi-Datti Media, Diran Onifade, confirmed that Obi was harassed by London immigration officials and placed in detention. Onifade said this was where Obi spent the Easter holidays.

    “The LP presidential candidate arrived at the Heathrow Airport in London from Nigeria on Good Friday, April 7, 2023. He joined the queue for the necessary Airport protocols when immigration officials accosted him. They handed him a detention note and told him to step aside,” Onifade said.

    Onifade said the offence means an impersonator could commit weighty crimes that would cause people to point fingers at Obi, causing embarrassment.

    In his reaction to a report that the UK government apologised to Obi over the detention, Obi said he did not receive any letter of apology from the British government. 

    Verification 

    To verify Adamu’s claim, our partners, FactCheckElections, came across a report by LEADERSHIP . In the report, the federal government of Nigeria denied news that it intervened in Obi’s detention ordeal. 

    The spokesperson of NiDCOM, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, said the image attached to the tweet is a “stunt.”

    He added that the NiDCOM boss, Dabiri-Erewa, was not in the UK and not in a position to secure the release of any Nigerian suspected to be under UK interrogation

    “Our attention has been called to the above social media stunt, which has gone viral. Aunty Abike Dabiri-Erewa is NOT in the UK and not in a position to secure the release of any Nigerian suspected to be under UK interrogation. So, members of the public should disregard the information in its entirety,” Balogun said.

    Verdict

    Adamu’s claim is false and therefore burnt dodo. Avoid the spread of misinformation, as it has the grave potential to cause public panic and harm.

    Stephen Agwaibor

    ,
    ,

  • Who Are The Peace Corps of Nigeria?

    Who Are The Peace Corps of Nigeria?

    The 9th National Assembly will be dissolved in less than two months, but it looks like they’re focusing on finishing some side quests. 

    On April 13, 2023, a harmonised version of the Peace Corps Bill passed the third reading and was forwarded to President Buhari for assent within 30 days. This Bill would change the name “Peace Corps of Nigeria” to the Nigerian Peace Corps. And it’ll transform the agency from its volunteering template into one funded by the federal government. 

    The road to this has been challenging. The Bill was first proposed by the National Assembly in 2017, but it was rejected by the president based on lack of funds and concerns over it replicating existing security agencies. Amidst these concerns, there were reports of the members of the National Assembly taking bribes to pass the Bill.  

    Regardless, the Bill was reintroduced in 2019, and this time, the National Assembly claimed that it had addressed the previously raised issues. 

    We need to know, however, who the Peace Corps of Nigeria are and its functions. 

    History of the Peace Corps of Nigeria

    PCN was founded on July 10, 1998, by Dr Dickson A.O., who was 25 years old, to engage unemployed youths, productively: by giving them purpose and engaging them in paramilitary activities.

    Some of the functions of the Peace Corps are:

    • Job creation through the provision of alternate employment
    • Social and economic development through volunteering programmes and partnerships with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and governments.
    • Organising immunisation, census and sanitation programmes.
    • Check criminal activities and insecurity with volunteers who form vigilante groups or neighbourhood watch.

    Hopefully, the approval of this Bill will ease the Peace Corps in performing their duties, and it won’t be another proxy for corrupt politicians. 

    Tolu Omotesho

    , ,

  • Beyond 2023 Elections, Zikoko Citizen Dey for You

    Beyond 2023 Elections, Zikoko Citizen Dey for You

    Hi there, my name is Muhammed Akinyemi, the Editor-in-Chief of Zikoko Citizen, and I have some important news for you. 

    Citizen is a publication – unlike any other – that aims to help you easily understand politics, policy, and governance — and take action. All you need to do is follow us while we follow the news.

    If you followed us during the National (February 25, 2023) and State (March 18, 2023) elections, you’d recall how expansive our coverage was and how easy it was to get the news at your doorstep. 

    We achieved that on the web through general news coverage and our web series like The Nigerian Voter (a series where Nigerians shared their voting experiences), Navigating Nigeria (for residential Nigerians on how to explore Nigeria safely), Wait First (where we fact-check stories on a scale of fresh tomato to cold zobo), and our Game of Votes weekly newsletter (subscribe here if you haven’t).

    We brought the news to you on social media via Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, WhatsApp, and Facebook.

    We reached more than five million people during the elections and are not about to stop. Let me introduce you to our post-election phase.

    What’s new

    Three things:

    1. Everyday Citizens

    During the build-up to the elections, we asked ourselves one question: how are policies and politics affecting and changing the lives of everyday Nigerians? We introduced Everyday People (now Everyday Citizens) to find answers. 

    We spoke to people often snubbed by the media except as vox-pop entertainment: these northern traders talking about the voting process in Lagos, this plumber explaining why it’s important to vote without sentiments, or this reality check on if Nigerians still remember election day.

    Elections are over, but governance, policies and politics never stop. That’s why we are rebranding the flagship as Everyday Citizens and giving the microphone and camera to you, the everyday Nigerian, to tell us how policies —like the naira swap— affect you.

    No matter where you are in Nigeria or the world, you’ll soon be able to share your experience on Everyday Citizens. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube  and watch out for the series officially launching Monday, April 17, 2023, airing on Mondays at 1 p.m. and Fridays at 6 p.m, Nigerian time.

    Remember to follow and turn on post notifications for Zikoko Citizen on your favourite social media platforms. .

    1. Citizen History

    Our history as a country is filled with events that could provide clarity on who we are and the things that happen today. Unfortunately, history is not popular in primary and secondary school education. Most of us have to rely on stories told by parents, books we read and snippets on the internet to find the truth of our past. 

    That’s about to change. 

    Starting Tuesday, Tuesday, April 18, 2023, we’ll bring you history lessons to your fingertips. Stories like the one where we spotlighted the first Nigerian female senator or dug deep into Operation Wetie, the beef that triggered Nigeria’s first military coup. 

    Every week, on Tuesdays, Citizen History will take you back in time and help you draw connections between Nigeria yesterday and Nigeria today.

    Join us today on Twitter Spaces as we launch the web series:

    Follow us as we follow history. 

    1. Citizen 60 Seconds

    As someone who grew up in front of the news, watching hourly updates from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m., I know how annoying it feels when the news just won’t end.

    Citizen’s 60 Seconds is our antidote to unending news coverage. In exactly 60 seconds – not more – we will tell you essential news without the time-wasting fluff.

    Follow us on Instagram now so you don’t miss out when we launch on Wednesday, April 19, 2023. Catch 60 seconds on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at 4 p.m. Nigerian time.

    What’s leaving?

    We did many things with The Nigerian Voter series: we interviewed an Internally Displaced Person who was keen to vote, a student at the cusp of disenfranchisement, and a Nigerian who thinks voting is a sin, among several others. 

    But the flagship has played its part, and as elections wind down, it is winding down with it. 

    However, we are not killing coverage of the elections. You can still read our daily coverage on the Citizen website and Game of Votes (you should subscribe).

    What’s Staying?

    Our series, Navigating Nigeria, Wait First, and Abroad Life (what it means to be Nigerian, japa edition), are all staying, because they provide valuable insights to you.

    We are taking the spotlight from politicians and returning them to you. We are back to asking how their policies affect you and why you should participate in governance. 

    We will be telling you what steps to take when you’re a victim of revenge porn, explaining things like interim government, what new Acts mean for you, and how events like #EndSARS triggered Nigeria’s biggest japa wave in the last five years.

    Follow us as we follow the news.

    At Zikoko Citizen, we promise to always cover politics, policies, and governance while telling you why you should care. Let us do the heavy lifting of following the news while you follow us for the breakdown.

    Muhammed Akinyemi

    , , ,

  • From Eight Months Fertility Treatment to Canadian Permanent Residency – Abroad Life

    From Eight Months Fertility Treatment to Canadian Permanent Residency – Abroad Life

    The Nigerian experience is physical, emotional, and sometimes international. No one knows it better than our features on #TheAbroadLife, a series where we detail and explore Nigerian experiences while living abroad.

    This week’s Abroad Life subject decided to quit her banking job in Nigeria and become a permanent resident of Canada in 2004. This was after she had stayed in the country as a visitor for eight months due to a series of fertility treatments. She tells us her motivations for leaving Nigeria, how she got her permanent residency papers in Canada and the ups and downs of residing there. 

    What was your motivation for moving to Canada?

    Two things motivated me — safety and fertility treatments. 

    Safety was a huge priority for me. The crime rate was increasing, with no one being safe from thieves and armed robbers no matter where they found themselves. In Nigeria, I was a banker who sometimes worked late into the night. I was robbed of my gold jewellery twice, and money at gunpoint while waiting in traffic. From then on, I grew from disliking to hating the Nigerian government. I felt I could lose my life at any time. This is not exclusive of the poverty, corruption, bribery and what-have-you that cripples the country daily.

    I also had a series of fertility treatments for eight months, as I had one child and was hoping for another. But during that period, I found out that the immigration system in Canada was friendly, and one could process their papers for permanent residency. I immediately latched onto the opportunity to find a better future for myself and my family in Canada. 

    Wow! How would you describe the healthcare you received?

    The good thing with Canadian doctors is that you can be sure you’re in good hands. Their healthcare is excellent. The doctors also fear lawsuits and wouldn’t like barking up the wrong tree. Everything is so precise and professional. It was even done in a government clinic, not a private one, so I could trust that the doctors would be honest (since they weren’t gaining anything). Usually, you’d need to pay with health insurance, but since I was still considered a foreigner back then, I paid in cash. It wasn’t expensive at all.

    Nice! So how did you process your migration?

    I was on a temporary visa and didn’t reside permanently in Canada immediately. After undergoing the treatments in 2003, I then asked my employers at the bank for more time on my maternity leave. But they refused to give that extra grace.

    Because of that, I resigned.

    Since the work pressure was gone, I focused on finding ways to get permanent residency in Canada. I found a lawyer who advised me to process my papers through the “skilled worker” class. At the time, there was a self-test to see if one was eligible for the role, and due to my former role as a banker, I scored high marks in the banking category. This also helped me to get a great score overall on my assessment. I became the principal applicant for my family, and we permanently relocated later that year. I gave birth to my second and last child in the following year, 2004.

    Did you experience any culture shocks?

    Yes, I did.

    Firstly, Canadians are not as warm and friendly as Nigerians. They love to mind their business a lot. It even affected my daughter because she started having an identity crisis — should she act Nigerian or Canadian? One must learn that not greeting or visiting people doesn’t mean they are bad. Some of them are not all bad, but most have this issue. In a way, this trait teaches you about self-sufficiency.

    Are there benefits to living in Canada?

    Yes, there are. Their education system is great. If you like to self-develop, this is the country for you. In Canada, you never stop learning. You’ll learn until you want to cry. 

    It’s also easy for you to transition career paths. I transitioned from banking to social work. I feel safer where I live in Ottawa. I can wear a gold chain to a party, I can be in traffic and not be afraid (unlike Nigeria). I can drive late at night, which profits me more because the roads are free. The public transportation system is very clean and cheap. It’s amazing here.

    How did you make the switch from banking to social work?

    I started working as a social worker in 2007 when I did my Bachelor’s degree in sociology here. In 2015, I decided to have a Master’s degree in Social Work, due to its lucrativeness. 

    I recently started working for the Ontario Government this month due to my social work service. It has been great so far.

    That’s great! Are there any disadvantages to living in Canada?

    The only thing I can think of is racism. There is a huge absence of racial diversity here. You can find 70 white students and five blacks in a classroom. The race count is always very disproportionate.

    There was this one time during my Master’s that I noticed I was marked down in a particular course because I was black (I always got a B-), while my white counterparts would get an A+ for the same answers. I’d probably have graduated with a bad grade if I hadn’t confronted my lecturer. In the end, she started giving me an A+ after she realised I had caught her in the act.

    However, I wouldn’t say it affects your chances of doing well in Canada. So long as you have the skillset and you’ve done your Master’s (they always favour people with a Master’s degree).

    Would you ever go back to Nigeria?

    Of course, yes. I miss Nigeria daily – the warmth, the parties, and the ability to get cheap local food. However, the only way I’d ever go back is if there is a change in government and a visionary leader. If things remain the status quo, I would rather retire here.

    Chiamaka Dike

    , ,

  • Nigeria’s Millionaire Club Shrinks 30%. What Does It Mean to You?

    Nigeria’s Millionaire Club Shrinks 30%. What Does It Mean to You?

    For the average Nigerian, all they want to live is a soft life. 

    However, many obstacles, such as high foreign exchange, unemployment and taxation rates, are blocking them from becoming part of the ‘millionaire gang’. And the 2023 Africa Wealth Report by Henley and Partners confirms this.

    Below are a few noteworthy points from the report that we should care about:

    Nigeria is Africa’s third-largest market — with fewer millionaires

    According to the report, South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya and Morocco make up Africa’s “Big 5” wealth markets, accounting for 56% of the continent’s high-net-worth individuals (millionaires) —this is measured in dollars and not local currency).

    But despite this, Nigeria seems to be churning out fewer millionaires. Nigeria only has 9,800 millionaires, and 30% have lost their status over a decade (2012-2023). 

    According to economists, this drop can be attributed to the depreciation of the naira against the dollar and poor foreign exchange policies in Nigeria.

    ‘Top 10 Wealthiest Countries’, Africa Wealth Report [Henley & Partners]

    RECOMMENDED: Nigeria’s Unemployment Jumps From 33.3 to 41% in Three Years

    Nigeria contributed to a 12% drop in Africa’s total millionaires 

    ‘Growth Trends On the Continent’, Africa Wealth Report [Henley & Partners]

    The report claims that the total high net worth individual numbers in Africa have fallen 12% over the past decade (2012 to 2022). The cause? Poor growth in the three largest African markets, South Africa, Egypt — and Nigeria.

    Lagos has been listed as Africa’s 4th wealthiest city – with 5400 millionaires

    ‘Africa’s Wealthiest Cities’, Africa Wealth Report [Henley & Partners]

    As the “economic hub” of West Africa, Lagos houses over half of Nigeria’s high net-worth individuals. These include 5,400 millionaires, 16 centi-millionaires, and three billionaires.

    It also listed major sectors in Lagos, including raw materials, oil and gas, transport and financial services.

    Lagos and the new Blue Rail transport system [The Guardian]

    What does this mean for the average Nigerian?

    As the rich are reducing and economies suffer, here’s how it affects you as a resident.

    There will be lesser job opportunities for the poor

    According to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), 3.1 million registered companies have millionaires as their owners. These can easily translate to 3.1 million companies where you can find work instead of a government institution.

    If 30% of these millionaires lose status due to economic hardship, companies could take austerity measures by reducing the workforce or folding up and decreasing job opportunities.

    Reduction of foreign direct investment 

    According to a report on “The Determinants of Foreign Direct Investment in Nigeria”, the most common route for foreign direct investment is partnerships with private companies. Of course, millionaires own these companies.

    If you haven’t already guessed by now, fewer millionaires mean lesser foreign investment in Nigeria’s economy

    Sapa increases

    Let’s end this report with the most obvious point — the activities and investments of millionaires help economic growth and reduce poverty. If fewer millionaires exist, the well-being of Nigerians cannot survive purely on the government. And you know what that means.


    Be part of a community that talks and breathes politics for the Gen Zs and Millenials. Join the tribe here.

    Chiamaka Dike

    , , ,

  • Everything We Know About the Banana Island Building Collapse

    Everything We Know About the Banana Island Building Collapse

    Tragedy struck around 3 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, when a seven-storey building under construction collapsed at First Avenue in the upscale area of Banana Island, situated in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    In a viral video shared by Punch, the building appeared to give way without warning while construction workers were seen walking atop the uncompleted structure seconds before the collapse. Here’s what we’ve gathered so far.

    Have there been any casualties?

    Vanguard reported that an undisclosed number of people remained trapped underneath the rubble. Eyewitnesses said people jumped off the building before its collapse while kids walking around the area narrowly escaped death. The DG/CEO of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) revealed on his Twitter page that rescue operations were ongoing.

    According to Punch, seven people have been rescued while the search continues. However, an undisclosed number of people have suffered injuries to varying degrees.

    Which agencies have responded?

    The Lagos Fire Service and Rescue Service spokesperson, Amodu Shakiri, confirmed the incident. He said, “We got a call around 3:58 pm. We are currently trying to ascertain the claim that no one was under the rubble.”

    The Deputy Director of Public Affairs, Lagos State government, Mukaila Sanusi, said: 

    “An unapproved seven-floor building under construction collapsed in Banana Island, Lagos State, this evening. “Few who sustained injuries are being treated. There is no fatality. This unfortunate incident happened while casting was being done.

    “The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Engr. Tayo Bamgbose-Martins, was immediately on site to assess the situation and flag off an investigation.

    “We ask members of the public to remain calm and expect further information from the ministry as we know more.”

    LASEMA also said there were no lives lost. 

    What led to the collapse?

    In a statement, the Lagos State Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development said the collapsed building didn’t have a permit, suggesting it was built without regard to the state’s building code. LASEMA claimed the building collapsed because a truck ran into the building.

    What next?

    The Lagos state government has called for calm, saying there’s an investigation into the collapse. In the meantime, here is a list of Lagos state emergency lines should you know anyone directly impacted by the collapse. We will keep you updated as the story unfolds.

    Join us on Twitter Spaces on Friday, April 14th, by 6 pm as we talk to historians to give us a perspective on an interesting slice of Nigerian history.

    Stephen Agwaibor

    ,

  • What We Know About the OAU Student Lynched for Phone Theft

    What We Know About the OAU Student Lynched for Phone Theft

    In May 2022, The Cable reported 391 recorded mob killings in Nigeria in the last four years. The recent lynching of an Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) student has unfortunately increased this tally.

    What was his crime? 

    Okoli Ahinze, a 400-level student, was accused of stealing a phone in the Awolowo Hall of Residence on the school’s premises.

    According to a statement by Awo Hall Leadership, Ahinze didn’t just steal the phone but also used the bank app to make transactions and solicit funds from the victim’s contacts.

    What happened next?

    After hearing the news of the stolen phone, a mob gathered and severely beat the young man. He was then moved to another location for his safety.

    According to a Twitter user, Baron Chymaker (@chymaker), it is alleged that the lynching followed an unwritten practice in the school tagged “Maximum Scientific Shishi.” 

    The term describes a code name for torturing students that commit an offence. Accusations trailed the Awo Hall Chairman Badiora Timilehin and his social director Omiskin Seye who were alleged moderators of the lynching.

    Later in the afternoon, he had to be moved to the OAU Teaching Hospital when his health started to decline. But by then, it was too late.

    Have legal actions been taken?

    So far, none has been taken yet. 

    The President of the Great Ife Student Union, Folahan Olawiyola, released a statement promising that the union would work with the university authorities and law enforcement agencies to ensure the perpetrators face justice.

    Be part of a community that talks and breathes politics for the Gen Zs and Millenials. Join the tribe here.

    Also, look out for our upcoming Twitter Space on Operation Wetie and a history of election violence in Nigeria. Set a reminder for the space here.

    Chiamaka Dike

    , ,

  • Here’s Why Your Bank Transactions Are Failing

    Here’s Why Your Bank Transactions Are Failing

    One of the few habits Nigerians picked up during the cash scarcity caused by Meffy’s Naira redesign is a dependence on cashless transactions. However, on April 11, 2023, many Nigerians were frustrated and stranded due to a glitch in the Nigerian Inter-Bank Settlement System (NIBSS). 

    This glitch was due to a network failure which affected many banks and fintech apps. As a result, many people were inconvenienced as they couldn’t carry out their daily transactions, particularly interbank transfers. 

    But what’s NIBSS, and why is it essential to the banking system? 

    The NIBSS is owned by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and all licensed Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) in Nigeria. It handles electronic funds transfer, automated direct credits and debits, QR code payment standards and account verification. 

    So, to put it simply, if there’s a fault with NIBSS, the whole country goes to a standstill like we witnessed yesterday.

    NIBSS bank transactions

    ZikokoCitizen spoke to some people who experienced the downtime yesterday, and here’s what they had to say:

    Anna*

    “I had no idea there was a general issue with banks. In fact, up until yesterday, I didn’t know what the NIBSS was. I was trying to buy food online and noticed it wasn’t going through. I used another card, but again, the transaction failed. 

    I decided to give up on lunch and focus on my work, but I had run out of data. I sent money to another bank account to buy data, but the transfer didn’t go through, so the afternoon ended with me being hungry and unproductive.”

    Zainab*

    “On my way back from work yesterday, I sent money from a Fintech savings app to my bank account, but it didn’t reflect, and I had to pay a cab driver. Fortunately, my roommate was around and had enough cash to help me out”. 

    Joshua*

    “I initiated a transaction yesterday with my bank to another Fintech app. I’ve been debited by the bank, but the money still hasn’t been reflected. I’ve also found it difficult to open the app”.

    It might be time for the CBN to look into creating an alternative system for online transactions if Nigeria’s truly serious about translating to a cashless society. 

    Tolu Omotesho

    , ,

  • What Do Doctors Think About the Five-Year Service Bill?

    What Do Doctors Think About the Five-Year Service Bill?

    On April 6, 2023, the Nigerian House of Representatives announced a Bill for all Nigerian-trained medical and dental practitioners to complete five years of mandatory service before receiving full practising licences. 

    The Bill has passed for second reading and was targeted at stopping the massive “brain drain” of doctors who seek greener pastures in other countries.

    RECOMMENDED: Nigeria’s Doctor Shortage Crisis Is Worse Than You Think

    This was received with massive criticism from Nigerians. Government officials were especially criticised for not using Nigerian hospitals. Human rights organisations such as IPC Justice called the bill “a violation of the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights standards.

    But now that we’ve heard from the citizens, what are these doctors saying?

    “I’ll not practice medicine if the Bill is passed”

    For Amos*, a 400-level student at Obafemi Awolowo University, it is unthinkable for him to spend six years studying medicine (it’s more if you add strike periods) and still wait five extra years before getting a licence.

    According to Amos, “I was supposed to have graduated from medical school this year, but due to the public nature of my university, I am still in 400 level. If you consider strikes, I may finish medical school in three to four years, and after horsemanship and youth service, I’d still have to practice for five years before I get a full license. That’s way too much.

    “The low remuneration and endless work hours are already a turn-off for anyone entering Nigeria’s medical system. If the House of Representatives passes this Bill, best believe I’d not practice medicine after graduation. I would’ve quit medical school, but I’m in 400 level already and can’t drop the ball now.”

    Sighs in tiredness

    “I intend to leave the country as soon as possible.”

    Jane, a radiographer who recently finished her internship at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), sees the Bill as a ‘foolish idea’. She also feels that the monetary rewards given for the risks taken in her work are unsatisfactory.

    “I think it’s a foolish idea. Instead of proposing such a Bill to the legislation, the government needs to provide and promote measures that would increase the desire of medical practitioners to remain in the country. 

    They say they are trying to curb the brain drain, but the country wouldn’t be experiencing this if the working and living conditions were great. So many of my colleagues in the UK and Canada keep telling me about the working and living conditions they’re experiencing there. Way better than here. 

    Imagine being paid ₦5,000 as a monthly hazard allowance for a doctor? Do they know about the hazards we’re exposed to at work? From minor infections to major diseases? 

    Then, they said they’d increase it from ₦5k to ₦27k and pay the months we’ve been owed. It has been months since they said that, and we are yet to receive the money. They paid for two months, and that’s it. 

    These and many other reasons are the conditions pushing many of us out of this country. If the working conditions of the UK are not favourable, this brain drain will not happen.

    Interestingly, in March 2021, the United Kingdom announced that it would stop recruiting doctors and nurses in 47 countries, including Nigeria, in alignment “with World Health Organisation’s (WHO) advice on ethical recruitment to promote effective, fair, and fair sustainable international recruitment practices”.

    “The health sector needs attention, but they’re doing it the wrong way”

    Dr Obi*, a LUTH physiotherapist, understands the government’s need to do something about the brain drain, but she disagrees with the methods.

    She said, “I have mixed feelings about the Bill because I understand their motives. The brain drain of doctors in Nigeria has become a nightmare. Finding doctors for shifts is extremely hard, and one can work five nights in a row. It is also hard to see doctors that would work in a hospital for over a year before they “japa.” So I get it.

    However, there is a need for the government to do things the right way. The House of Representatives failed to address the main reason these doctors are leaving — a growing lack of discontentment with their welfare from the government.

    The right thing to do should be to address the doctor’s pay issues (which is why they are fleeing the country in their numbers), equip the hospitals and give a tangible hazard allowance.

    Also, we have cases of patients maltreating doctors, which doesn’t happen in a sane society. All these put together drive the doctors, both young and old, to seek greener pastures.

    What can you do about it?

    This is a Bill that is of high risk to the human rights of all Nigeria medical and dental practitioners.

    If you’re a doctor or even a concerned citizen passionate about not seeing this bill become a reality, you can call or email your representatives in the House. Click on the names in this list for their contact information.

    Hopefully, they pick up

    Chiamaka Dike

    , , ,

  • Nigeria’s Unemployment Jumps from 33.3% to 41% in Three Years

    Nigeria’s Unemployment Jumps from 33.3% to 41% in Three Years

    The unemployment rate is the percentage of the labour force that is unemployed but is actively seeking employment. According to the multinational consulting firm KPMG, Nigeria’s unemployment rate will likely hit 40.6% based on its 2023 projections. Another way to put it is, out of every five employable Nigerians between 15 and 64 years, two would be unemployed.

    This would make Nigeria one of the countries with the highest unemployment rates globally. 

    [Highest unemployment rates 2021 / Statista]

    How did we get here?

    If you look at the screenshot above, Nigeria doesn’t feature in the top twenty. The explanation is that the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS), which releases official unemployment figures, has not done so since Q4 of 2020. As of then, Nigeria’s unemployment rate was an alarming 33.3 per cent. 

    KPMG’s report estimated that Nigeria’s unemployment rate rose to 37.7% in 2022. It expects it to rise even higher to 40.6% in 2023 based on their projections. Here’s what they said:

    “Unemployment is expected to continue to be a major challenge in 2023 due to the limited investment by the private sector, low industrialisation and slower than required economic growth and consequently the inability of the economy to absorb the 4-5 million new entrants into the Nigerian job market every year. 

    “Although the NBS recorded an increase in the national unemployment rate from 23.1 per cent in 2018 to 33.3 per cent in 2020, we estimate that this rate has increased to 37.7 per cent in 2022 and will rise further to 40.6 per cent in 2023.”

    KPMG said the coming administration would face weak and slow economic growth and trouble in the forex market. Inflation also affected Nigeria badly in 2022, maintaining an upward trend that has spilled over into 2023. Nigeria’s inflation rate in February rose to 21.91 per cent despite the Central Bank hiking the interest rate.

    “Additionally, government revenue remains inadequate to support much-needed expenditure, leading to a high debt stock and high debt service payments”, the report said.

    Is there any hope at all?

    According to Punch, at the end of Q4 of 2022, Nigeria’s GDP growth rate was 3.52 per cent. This was a boost from 2.25 per cent in Q3 of 2022. On average, Nigeria experienced a 3.10 per cent growth rate in 2022.

    KPMG said that Nigeria’s growth would be affected negatively in 2023 by Meffy’s disastrous naira redesign policy, the proposed subsidy removal and the budget deficit.

    However, if Nigeria addresses security issues, KPMG expects some recovery in telecommunications, trade and the oil sector. The growth rate for 2023 is projected to be at a “relatively slow pace” of three per cent.

    What can the incoming government do?

    Every solution to arrest Nigeria’s economic decline feels like a bitter pill. We recently added an $800 million loan to our mounting debt. Let’s not forget the coming census projected to cost ₦869 billion. It should be apparent that a serious government would look to cut down on these high expenses.

    There are also security concerns that, if left unattended, might worsen an already bad situation. A 40.6 per cent unemployment rate is a ticking time bomb as this means there are too many idle hands for the devil to employ. 

    Unemployment is a lagging indicator. This means it’s an indicator that changes after the economic variable with which it is correlated changes. If Nigeria has a poor economic outlook, unemployment will keep rising, while if it’s growing, unemployment will fall.

    Therefore, the obvious solution is to get Nigeria’s economy to grow again. This could be by supporting the manufacturing sector, making Nigeria more attractive to investors, unifying our exchange rate and providing incentives to encourage local production. These things don’t happen overnight; it will take collective political will to turn things around. But as the saying goes, where there’s a will, there’s a way.

    Join us on Twitter Spaces on Friday, April 14th, by 6 pm as we talk to historians to give us a perspective on an interesting slice of Nigerian history.

    Stephen Agwaibor

    ,

  • This House of Reps Bill Might Ruin Your Japa Plans as A Doctor

    This House of Reps Bill Might Ruin Your Japa Plans as A Doctor

    According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it’s recommended for a country to have a mix of 23 doctors, midwives and nurses per 10,000 people. However, the doctor-to-patient ratio in Nigeria is 1 to 30,000 patients in the South and 1 to 45,000 patients in the North. 

    To tackle this problem, the House of Representatives, Nigeria’s junior legislative chamber, is blaming japa—emigration—and on April 6, 2023, a dreary Medical and Dental Practitioners Act (Amendment) Bill, 2022 passed for second reading. 

    What is this bill?

    The MDPA Bill would make it compulsory for any Nigerian-trained medical doctor or dentist to practise in Nigeria for at least five years before being granted a full licence. 

    The House of Reps gave two reasons for this bill:

    • To make quality healthcare available to Nigerians and avoid a total collapse of our health sector. 
    • Medical education is heavily subsidised in Nigeria compared to schools in the United States and Europe, and this is a way for doctors to give back to the country.

    However, the House of Representatives might be turning a blind eye to the deplorable state of Nigeria’s healthcare system. 

    For instance, on December 8, 2022, the Abia chapter of the Nigerian Medical Association embarked on a strike to demand payment of salaries owed to them by the State government. Also, Nigerian hospitals lack proper funding and infrastructure; doctors are forced to work under poor conditions and are often underpaid.

    Reactions to the Bill 

    There have been mixed reactions to the Bill so far; some people agree with the government, while others think the House of Reps is showing a more advanced form of wickedness. 

    Doctors dentists Bill House of Reps

    The Medical and Dental Consultants of Nigeria (MDCAN) have rejected the Bill and described it as modern-day slavery. And this is against Section 34(1) b of the Nigerian constitution, which says, “No person shall be held in slavery or servitude”, and Section 34(1) c, which states: “No one shall be required to perform forced or compulsory labour.” 

    Unfortunately, the House of Reps skipped over steps of providing standard medical infrastructure, improving working conditions and increasing the pay of medical practitioners to instead infringe on their fundamental human rights. They also failed to address the amount of money spent on medical tourism by public officials. 

    Doctors dentists Bill House of Reps

    Members of the House of Reps should first remove the log of wood in their eyes before trying to tie down medical practitioners simply looking for greener pastures.

    If you saw violence during the 2023 elections and thought, “Where did we go wrong?” We have the answer for you. Join us on Twitter Spaces on Friday, April 14th, by 6 pm as we talk to historians to give us a perspective on that slice of history. Save the date!

    Tolu Omotesho

    , , ,

  • No Be Juju Be This?

    No Be Juju Be This?

    Juju–fetish–is something many of us don’t believe in. After all, if it were as real and effective as some claim, then many politicians wouldn’t end up with generational commonwealth, nor would police officers go scot-free for their many crimes.

    But be it as it may, a community in Enugu have lost faith in Nigeria’s judicial system and resorted to getting justice the traditional way: by invoking ancestral spirits.  

    On February 22, 2023, three days before the 2023 National Assembly elections, the Labour Party Candidate for the Enugu East senatorial district, Oyibo Chukwu, was assassinated on his way from a campaign. Although he was replaced by his younger brother, Kelvin Chukwu, who won the election, the community leaders are still displeased with the killing.

    And to make matters worse, barely anyone in power, including Enugu’s state governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, has come out to condemn the act. Also, police and security agencies have refused to ascribe the death of Oyibo to politics; they’ve instead attributed the killing to the separatist group, The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). 

    But, the deceased’s family insists that the killing was politically motivated, and to get justice, on April 4, 2023, community members and leaders gathered at the town’s square by 9 a.m. They “invoked the spirits of their forefathers and ancestral gods” and rained curses on those behind the assassination, the sponsors and their immediate families. 

    We’ll see if this becomes a rare case where juju or karma actually punishes criminals so a grieving family can get closure. And hopefully, Nigeria will become a country that values human lives, and families won’t need to rely on supernatural methods to get justice. 

    What Else Happened this Week?

    Soyinka Places $1000 Bounty on Misinformation Peddlars

    In the months leading to the 2023 general elections and after, misformation is an enemy everyone has had to fight. 

    During an interview with Arise TV on April 5, 2023, the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, lamented that recently, some news media have been spreading fake news about him. And wanting nothing to stain his white, he has given a $1000 reward to anyone who can successfully point him to the author. 

    We must understand that misinformation and propaganda can cause violent extremism, fear, and anxiety and create unnecessary panic in society. And these are things we don’t need as Nigerians right now. 

    Video of the week

    Question of the week

    The Federal government has plans to create a portal for older persons to find jobs after retirement. What are your thoughts on this?

    Ehen one more thing…

    Ex-editor-in-chief of Zikoko, Fu’ad Lawal, has launched Archivi.ng with a mission to make a digital repository of 500,000 pages of Nigerian history from January 1, 1960, to December 31, 2010. Here’s why this is important.

    Tolu Omotesho

    , , , , , ,

  • Why 50 Million Nigerians May Get ₦11,000 As Petrol Palliative

    Why 50 Million Nigerians May Get ₦11,000 As Petrol Palliative

    Nigerians crossed into 2023 with fuel scarcity. Four months into the year many people are still struggling with the high fuel prices. But do you know that there’s a chance we might pay triple the current fuel price as the federal government has plans to remove fuel subsidy by mid-2023? 

    But first things first, what’s fuel subsidy?

    Simply put, subsidy is the financial support provided by the government to reduce the cost of a product or service to citizens. For instance, a bag of potatoes costs ₦40,000, but the government decides it’s too expensive and sets the sales price at ₦30,000 while paying the ₦10,000 difference to the merchants. 

    According to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPLC), Nigeria spends over ₦400 billion on fuel subsidies monthly. This expense plays a significant role in the country’s revenue loss. 

    The government plans to divert the funds spent on subsidies to the investment and improvement of other critical sectors of the economy. Also, removing fuel subsidy might end fuel scarcity as it helps control market stability.

    The downside to subsidy removal is that fuel prices will likely skyrocket. Some independent marketers in the petroleum industry are already predicting the fuel price to be ₦750 per litre post-subsidy. Nigerians are barely coping with the current fuel price, and this would only serve to make our lives even harder. 

    However, there’s some good news. The government has plans to buffer the effects of subsidy removal for 50 million households. 

    What’s the Federal Government up to?

    On April 6, 2023, the Minister of Finance, Budget and Planning, Zainab Ahmed, disclosed at the weekly Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting that an $800 million grant —which we have now learned was actually a loan— has been secured from the World Bank as a post-subsidy palliative. 

    These funds will be paid out to 10 million households, an estimated 50 million Nigerians, who are most vulnerable to the subsidy removal. The government might also do more than throw money at this problem. The Finance minister also mentioned that the Ministry of Labour might be considering providing mass transit for its members. 

    But if $800 million is “successfully” divided by 50 million Nigerians, each person would get $16, equivalent to ₦11,840. And given the state of our economy, this might be nothing more than a drop in the ocean. 

    Source: Twitter/TheCableIndex/@thecableindex

    Another question that needs answering is whether the post-subsidy funds will reach the people in need because no one can forget, “How can you hoard indomeen?”. Are we going to see a repeat of the COVID-19 palliative debacle? 

    For now, we’ll cross our fingers and hope the government has a realistic plan to use the $800 million grant effectively. 

    Tolu Omotesho

    ,

  • Nigerians Experience Xenophobia in Benin Republic – Abroad Life

    Nigerians Experience Xenophobia in Benin Republic – Abroad Life

    The Nigerian experience is physical, emotional, and sometimes international. No one knows it better than our features on #TheAbroadLife, a series where we detail and explore Nigerian experiences while living abroad.

    This week’s Abroad Life subject moved to Benin Republic in 2020 on the advice of her mother’s acquaintance. She shares with us the circumstances that led to her relocation, living in Cotonou, Benin’s largest city, and the xenophobia that exists towards Nigerians from the locals there. 

    How was life for you before moving to Benin?

    It was horrible. I was depressed about how my life was going, with school and Nigerians. 

    Before 2020, I attended Covenant University (CU). I loved my circle of friends and coursemates, but I hated the rules and regulations of the school. It was something I just couldn’t cope with. Their hypocrisy with religion, inability to have your gadgets, all of it. It was a school that I knew I just didn’t fit in. It also didn’t help that I was studying Computer Engineering instead of Mass Communication because that was the only course I could get.

    Then on the subject of Nigerians. I am more of an introvert, and I’m fine with staying indoors as long as I have food and water. But when I step out, some men catcall and make me uncomfortable. There’s the traffic that one can spend hours in. There is the ever-rising cost of essential commodities like food. It’s a nightmare. The only thing that seems to give one pleasure is the joy that comes from jaiye jaiye or enjoyment. 

    Was that why you moved to Benin?

    It was an incident in CU. I planned to change courses from Computer Engineering to Mass Communication at CU — until the day my father had a heart attack.

    That day, I was holding my school tablet and stood at the T-junction in my school, waiting for my best friend (a guy) to return from mid-week service. Once I saw him, I started to weep profusely over my dad’s ill health. He was comforting me, reassuring me that all would be fine.

    Then, all of a sudden, there was this female lecturer that came out of the corners and seized my tablet. She then told us to follow her to her office. In CU, you don’t question such orders; you just obey. And so we followed her, with tears and mucus running down my nose.

    When we got to the office, she accused me of pairing with my best friend. She then asked us to fill out an offence form (which always leads to suspension or expulsion) despite all our pleas. At first, I looked at myself through her window with my tears, and then I looked at my best friend with his shirt made wet from my tears. 

    Before I knew it, I exploded in anger. I insulted her, the school, the authorities and anyone else I could think of. I was already stressed due to my semester results, and her wanting me to fill out the offence form unjustly was the tip of the iceberg. After leaving her office, I knew I could no longer stay at CU. If I did, they’d have given me a severe penalty, like an indefinite suspension for my outburst at her office. I then discussed alternative schools with my family, and an acquaintance of my mum suggested a university in Benin that was not as expensive. I agreed, and I moved to Cotonou, Benin Republic, in 2020 and started university all over  in a different program.

    So sorry that this happened to you. What were the processes of your migration to Benin?

    Migrating there was relatively easy. I travelled by road instead of air because the flight tickets are expensive. I experienced countless stops by immigration officials on Badagry/Seme road, and we also had to tip these officials and have them check my luggage. Asides from that, it was almost stress-free. All I needed were receipts, a passport and a means of identification (a national or work ID card), and I was good to go. 

    Badagry-Seme border

    Did you experience any culture shocks?

    So it was two things for me — their coins and their culture.

    Let me start by explaining Benin’s currency. Their coins are from 1 to 500 francs and have 500, 1000, 2000, 5000 and 10,000 CFA banknotes. I can change 2000 CFA to coins and accumulate as many coins as I like.

    Another thing that shocked me is how they love preserving their pre-colonial past. Unlike Nigeria, which has most of its artworks in Britain, many pre-historic artworks are still intact and displayed. They are also quiet and seem largely content with a quiet life, unlike Nigeria, which is full of ‘hustle and bustle.’

     Artworks from Benin Republic

    Are there any advantages to living in Benin?

    They have good power supply, except recently they started interrupting it for short periods. Even then, it’s never longer than 30 minutes. They always, always have power. They have a prepaid meter to buy the power units you need for that month. So as long as you have money, you’d have electricity.

    The roads are clean, with hardly any traffic. Transport is relatively cheaper. Their primary means of transportation are motorbikes. To go on a 13km journey, for instance, you can pay as low as the equivalent of N300 in Benin. Meanwhile, for that kind of distance in Nigeria, you could probably pay N2000.

    Bike transportation in Cotonou

    What about the disadvantages?

    It’s the xenophobia towards Nigerians by the locals. Their hatred towards Nigerians is so palpable. Prices are automatically higher for you as a Nigerian if you don’t know how to speak French or the local language (Fon/Aja). If you’re a nightlife person who likes partying in clubs, having your passport with you is best. If not, the police can lock you in jail for whatever reason for the night. Nigerians don’t even make things better with Yahoo boys flocking to Benin and giving us a bad reputation.

    Wow! Have you ever had a xenophobia experience before?

    Yes, I was once accused of duping a hairstylist.

    What?! How did that happen?

    I was supposed to come to Nigeria to see my boyfriend. He had sent me money in Naira for the expenses and all. Since I hadn’t seen him in a while, I wanted to look good and decided to get a new hairdo. I exchanged the money for francs and decided first to buy hair extensions.

    The hairdresser that owns the salon is one that I’ve patronised for years. When I got to the saloon, I noticed she had bought new hair extensions. Excited, I went inside the corner to look through her extensions and bought one for 5,000 CFA. She gave me 1,500 CFA change and went home.

    I was eating when all of a sudden, there was a loud banging on my door. It was the hairdresser. I was shocked to see her because she had never been to my house. She demanded that I return her extensions and 1,500 CFA to her while bluntly refusing to explain why. The first thought in my head was that the Bureau de Change gave me fake money. I was scared, so I gave her the money and extensions without much fuss but decided to follow her to her shop a few minutes later and get an explanation.

    When I arrived, she was gossiping about me with her neighbours in the Afo dialect (their native language, which sounds similar to Nigerian Yoruba). I caught the words “Nigerian ole” (meaning thief). To defend myself, I told her I didn’t steal anything, and she said I should bring proof.

    To vindicate myself, I brought my Bureau de Change receipts, called my Head of Student Affairs and one other lecturer, and even a delegae (an interpreter) to explain things to the lady, but she didn’t listen. She never returned my money and embarrassed me in front of the street. It was humiliating.

    Sorry, you had to go through this. Did you try reporting the case to the police?

    LOL. The Benin police is one of the biggest enablers of xenophobia. They don’t even want to hear what you want to say as a Nigerian, even if you have strong evidence to back it up. You’d enter jail in the end. The Nigerian Embassy is useless; most just do parties there. I’m just grateful to God that it didn’t escalate to that level of the police being involved.

    Sorry for that terrible experience. Would you ever leave Benin?

    I only want to stay here for 5-6 years and make enough money to japa. But stay here for the rest of my life? No way.

    Xenophobia excluded; it’s not a bad country. The air smells nice; enough Nigerians are here to make you feel at home. But it’s not a place you want to stay long term.

    What country would you like to reside in next?

    Due to my stay in Benin, I’d love to stay in a French-speaking country, maybe the French parts of Canada or France. French is a beautiful language, and I would love to speak it every second.

    Chiamaka Dike

    ,

  • Is Nigeria the Cocaine Capital of Africa?

    Is Nigeria the Cocaine Capital of Africa?

    The UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has released its Global Cocaine Report for 2023, which, without mincing words, is immensely worrying for Nigerians. 

    The 184-page report disclosed the trends in cocaine trafficking worldwide and noted that Nigeria played a “significant role in smuggling activities across West and North Africa.” 

    We went through the report and highlighted the big talking points from it. Here’s what you should know.

    [Nigeria as a coke hub / SBM Intelligence]

    Nigerians trafficked cocaine to 20 countries between 2018 and 2021

    Based on the UNODC’s aggregated report, between 2018 and 2021, Nigeria was a primary origin of cocaine trafficking to 20 territories. The countries within West Africa were Burkina Faso, Senegal, Mali, Ghana, Niger and Liberia. 

    Transit countries in Africa were Morocco, Ethiopia and Algeria. In the Asian-Pacific region, destination territories were Australia, China, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, India and Malaysia. The Middle East and South-West Asian destinations were Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The UK and Turkiye were the European destinations for cocaine from Nigeria.

    The most common means of cocaine trafficking is through mules via a widespread trafficking network

    Data on 52 specific cocaine seizures from 2019 showed that Nigeria also trafficked cocaine to neighbouring countries besides the primary destination. These include Benin, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Libya, Cyprus, Italy and Spain. In April 2020, Saudi Arabia authorities disclosed that cocaine trafficked by air from Nigeria was “on the rise.”

    Out of the 52 seizures, those outside Nigeria were trafficked by air using drug mules. Nigeria’s seizures were trafficked by mail, express parcel or commercial flights—a small number of these used vehicles.

    In Brazil, in each year between 2018-2020 and the first four months of 2021, Nigerians were the most frequently occurring foreign nationals arrested at Brazilian airports for being drug mules. 

    The report notes, “The most prominent departure country for cocaine reaching Nigeria is Brazil. Thus, despite the established and well-connected presence of Nigerian traffickers within an international network of actors and counterparts trafficking cocaine (and other drugs), notably concerning trafficking by air, given the available seizure data, it is plausible that the volume of cocaine transiting Nigerian territory is a relatively modest share of the quantities reaching West and Central Africa.”

    Cocaine comes into Nigeria via popular routes

    According to the report, cocaine comes in virtually through all major airports, land borders, and seaports.

    Cocaine arrives in Nigeria via various channels, including bulk carrier vessels arriving at seaports such as Apapa, Tincan Island, and Onne. 

    They also come in via passenger flights into airports such as Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, and Kano. They travel across land borders at various locations. These include Seme (border with Benin) and llela (border with Niger). Courier companies and postal services also delivered drug parcels.

    Nigeria dominates the cocaine trafficking trade in Africa especially at dealer and mid-level

    Nigeria leads in drug trafficking in Africa, followed by Morocco in North Africa, with a sizable presence of Nigerians involved in cocaine trafficking. However, the analysis by the UNODC suggests that the role of Nigerians is relatively vital at mid-level and dealer levels rather than large-scale trafficking.

    [Source: UNODC]

    Nigerian trafficking gangs have an established presence outside the country

    Cabo Verde is a Lusophone country in Africa. It’s a stopover point for maritime vessels moving across the Atlantic Ocean towards North Africa or Europe. A 2021 report by the Dublin Group assessing the scale of the drug problem in West Africa said, “Nigerian criminal gangs are well established in Praia (the capital), Mindelo, and the island of Sal.” 

    Take Côte d’Ivoire as another example. Lebanese, Brazilian, Italian and Nigerian criminal groups control cocaine trafficking. The report warned about the spread of Nigerian cult groups involved in the trafficking trade in Europe and South America. 

    Addressing the trafficking problem

    Ghada Waly, the UNODC executive director, warned that the potential for the cocaine market to expand in Africa is a “dangerous reality”. She asked governments to look into the report’s findings and provide solutions to these threats.

    According to The Cable, in September 2022, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) seized 1.8 tonnes of cocaine said to be worth ₦194 billion in Lagos state. The confiscated drugs were suspected of belonging to members of an international crime syndicate. 

    While this is laudable, there’s still a long way to go. The UNODC report highlights a few challenges that still need to be addressed by the government. They include the porous borders through which drugs still pass. There’s also the problem of cultism which has not only exported itself but has now become entwined with the drug problem. 

    The connivance with security agencies, as has been alleged, needs to be addressed. Shipping lines that abet drug trafficking, as the NDLEA alleges, need to be identified and dealt with. High unemployment is a pressing concern as this drives young Nigerians to a life of crime.

    Ultimately, the war against drugs is a long and arduous one. There are no quick fixes. To reverse this trend of Nigeria’s worrying dominance in drug trafficking, the government must proactively tackle the listed challenges head-on.

    Stephen Agwaibor

    ,

  • Who Are the Female Senators in the 10th Senate?

    Who Are the Female Senators in the 10th Senate?

    Nigeria has struggled with women’s political representation for years, and the recently concluded 2023 general elections show this isn’t changing soon.

    With the results of the National Assembly elections held on February 25, 2023, we will see fewer women in the Senate, as only three women were elected against the eight in the 9th Assembly.

    In this article, we will tell you about the three female senators-elect of the 10th Senate.

    Oluranti Adebule, All Progressives Congress

    Oluranti Adebule is someone many of us might remember as the deputy governor of Lagos State from 2015 to 2019, who was responsible for reviewing the Lagos State Education Policy Document. She was born on November 27, 1970, and studied Islamic Education at Lagos State University in 1992. 

    She started politics in 2000 when she was appointed Commissioner 1 in the Lagos state Post Primary Teaching Service Commission (PP-TESCOM), now called the Teachers’ Establishment and Pensions Office. 

    She also served as the Secretary to the State Government in 2011 under the former Lagos state governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola. 

    Ireti Kingibe, Labour Party

    Ireti Kingibe, born June 2, 1954, comes from a multicultural family as she has Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo roots. She studied Civil Engineering at the University of Minnesota and started her career as a Quality Control Engineer at Bradley Precast Concrete Inc. in 1978. 

    She returned to Nigeria in 1981 for the mandatory one-year national service, after which she worked as a Project Supervisor with the Nigerian Air Force till 1982. 

    Ireti joined politics in 1990 under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and was appointed Adviser to the party’s national chairman. In 2003, she defected from the SDP and contested for the FCT’s senatorial seat under the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP). Her election bid wasn’t successful, and she defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2006. 

    She left the PDP and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2015 to contest for the FCT senatorial seat. She eventually withdrew from the election and defected to the Labour Party in 2022, where she finally emerged victorious in her senatorial bid.

    Ipalibo Banigo, Peoples Democratic Party

    Ipalibo Banigo is a medical doctor and the first female Deputy Governor of Rivers State. 

    Born December 20, 1952, this woman has left her mark in Rivers state politics. She started in 1995 when she was appointed Secretary to the Rivers state Government. She served in this capacity for four years until 1999. 

    After her time in government, she was appointed Public Health Adviser of the Shell Petroleum Development Company in Nigeria. She was also the executive director and Secretary of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

    In 2015, she was the running mate of Nyesom Wike for the governorship elections, and she’s currently serving as the deputy governor of Rivers State. 

    These women are just as qualified as their male counterparts, and hopefully, their presence and performance at the Senate will open up more opportunities for women in politics.

    Tolu Omotesho

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  • What to Do When You’re A Victim of Revenge Porn

    What to Do When You’re A Victim of Revenge Porn

    If there were to be a list of “social epidemics” in Nigeria, sexual violence would be at the top. And women always get the brunt of the stick.

    According to a 2022 UNICEF report, “One in three women have experienced physical, sexual or intimate-partner violence; are victims of trafficking, or are subject to violent social norms.” 

    Unfortunately, another viral case of sexual violence is now on the list — but in the form of revenge pornography. 

    But first, we need to know its meaning.

    What is revenge porn?

    According to Section 170b of Nigeria’s Criminal Code Act, someone has committed revenge porn if they “post or enclose an indecent or obscene print, painting, photograph, lithograph, engraving, book, card, or article, or which has on it, or in it, or on its cover, any indecent, obscene, or grossly offensive words, marks, or designs.”

    The Oxford Dictionary defines it as “revealing or sexually explicit images or videos of a person posted on the internet, typically by a former sexual partner, without the subject’s consent and to cause them distress or embarrassment.”

    In simple English, if you post someone’s nude without consent, you’re a criminal in waiting.

    Now that we know the meaning, let’s dig into the issue.

    The Terdoo case 

    Since March 31, allegations of revenge porn between Terdoo Oluwadara Bendega (@lereslvt on Snapchat) and a Twitter user, The Nnma (@TheNnma), has been in conversations.

    According to Nnma, Terdoo—her ex-boyfriend—tried to blackmail her with explicit pictures and videos of herself after they had broken up. This was so Nnma wouldn’t expose his clandestine habit — distributing unclad pictures and videos of women on pornographic channels via Telegram without consent.

    But while Nnma was soliciting justice online, another Twitter user, Blaccnwyt (@blaccnwyt), implied that she may have been an accomplice in his revenge porn act.

    https://twitter.com/blaccnwyt/status/1643354867367288834?s=20

    Terdoo has not received legal action yet. However, the thread has inspired many women who have encountered him intimately to share their stories.

    Are there similar cases of revenge porn?

    Unfortunately, yes.

    In 2019, a sex tape of a 300-level Babcock University student in Nigeria circulated on the Internet. This resulted in her expulsion from the university for the “immoral act.” 

    In 2022, a student known as “Gold” at Akwa Ibom State University had her sex tape released without consent. Afrobeats singer Tiwa Savage was also a victim of revenge porn.

    Recently, popular Twitter user and Yogi, Pelumi “Jellybum” was accused of distributing and selling naked pictures of other women. They were previously her friends.

    What’s the legal punishment for revenge porn?

    According to Section 170b of Nigeria’s Criminal Code, if guilty, the punishment for revenge porn is imprisonment for up to a year upon conviction.

    With Section 24 of the Cybercrime Prohibition and Prevention Act of 2015, the offender would be charged N7 million or three years imprisonment. This is for those:

    1. who knowingly or intentionally send a message or other matter using computer systems or network that is grossly offensive, pornographic or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character or causes any such message or matter to be so sent; or
    2. knows to be false for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message to be sent.

    How can victims gain help and support?

    We understand the psychological trauma that revenge porn brings and the legal steps to take in apprehending offenders. 

    So, if you ever find yourself in this situation and would like to gain legal and psychological help, we’ve created a list of female lawyers and organisations that are only one phone call away:

    The Organisations

    STER (Stand to End Rape Initiative)

    The Stand to End Rape (STER) initiative is a youth-led social enterprise advocating against sexual violence, providing prevention mechanisms and supporting survivors with psychosocial services. They handle all forms of sexual violence.

    You can reach out to them by filling out this form or sending an email to the team here.

    The Mirabel Centre 

    The Mirabel Centre is Nigeria’s first sexual assault referral centre where survivors can get medical and psychological aid.

    You can call them on 08187243468 or 08155770000, or 0701 349 1769. You can also visit them at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja General Hospital Road, Ikeja, Lagos.

    Alternatively, you can send an email to sarc@pjnigeria.org

    The Women at Risk International Foundation (WARIF)

    WARIF is a non-profit organisation incorporated in 2016. It was made in response to the high incidence of sexual violence, rape and human trafficking among young girls and women across Nigeria and Africa.

    You can contact them at 0809 210 0008 or you can send an email to info@warifng.org

    The Lagos Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA)



    This is an organisation under the Lagos State government. They are committed to eradicating domestic and sexual violence in the state.

    You can contact them at 08000333333 or email them – info@lagosdsva.org

    The Lawyers 

    The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA)

    The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria is a Non-Governmental, Non-Profit Organization comprised of women lawyers formed in 1964. They take pro-bono cases across Nigeria, usually on domestic, sexual and other related violence against women.

    You can visit their website to find the branch closest to you or call +234 708 849 6115

    Rashidat Mohammed 

    Mohammed is a Human Rights Lawyer with a special interest in promoting the rights of women and children. She provides pro-bono legal services for women and girls who have experienced violence in northwest Nigeria. She also represents vulnerable men and families who can’t afford a lawyer and struggle to get justice in the Nigerian legal system. 

    You can visit her law firm, Rashidat Mohammed and Co, at Suite C49 City View Plaza, Diplomat Area, Sokoto.

    Chiamaka Dike

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  • What Incidents Triggered Nigeria’s Japa Wave Since 2018?

    What Incidents Triggered Nigeria’s Japa Wave Since 2018?

    The image you’re looking at is a graph showing Google trend data between 2018 and 2023. Specifically, it focuses on how often Nigerians search online for passport and visa applications. Preamble, Citizen’s partner, provided the data. Over the next few weeks, we’ll use similar search trends to draw up infographics and explain the reasons for migration trends across Africa.

    Passport and visa applications first spiked around June 2018,  at the commencement of the 2018 FIFA World Cup, a major sporting activity. 

    Domestically, some political events also stood out, such as Amnesty International blaming the FG for increased wanton killings across the country. This happened during a herder-farmer clash that saw 200 people killed in Plateau state. 

    Between December 2018 and January 2019, there was another increase in demand for visas and passports. January was the month before the 2019 presidential election, with many Nigerians planning to leave the country in the aftermath. 

    The big story in that month was the suspension of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen, which many Nigerians criticised for its timing and as a brazen attack on the judiciary, especially on the eve of a controversial presidential election.

    Between April and July 2019, renewed interest in visa applications was noticeable. This was a transition period as the Buhari administration was getting set to begin a second term in office amid protestations against the election outcome at the court by opposition challenger Atiku Abubakar of the PDP. Buhari was sworn in on May 29, and between then and July, there was a rise in the search for visas and passports.

    COVID-19’s impact on travelling 

    In January 2020, demand for passports spiked again, although a similar spike did not match this in visa applications. By March 2020, the search for both visas and passports cooled off sharply, which can be attributed to COVID-19 and increased lockdown and travel restrictions across the globe.

    ALSO READ: Can Your Nigerian Passport Support Your Japa Plans?

    According to reports, the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) issued 9.31 million passports between 2015 and 2022. In 2019, 1,242,953 were issued. That figure dropped significantly by 37% to 780,047 in 2020, the lowest within the period. Because of COVID-19, international flights in Nigeria were primarily suspended between March and September 2020 when they resumed.

    Between April 2020 and June 2021, there was a slow but steady rise in interest in passports and visa searches. The events of October 2020 can explain part of it, the EndSARS protests. However, travel wasn’t quite as robust as already demonstrated by the COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.

    Things began to pick up by December 2021, and interest in visas and passport applications surpassed the pre-COVID era. Explanations for this include worsening macroeconomic indicators like forex depletion, naira depreciation, government debt and high youth unemployment. 

    July 2022 marked peak interest in visa and passport searches on Google over the five years between 2018 and 2023. At this point, political parties had concluded their primaries. The leading contenders in the presidential race ahead of the 2023 election had emerged. The World Bank announced that Nigeria was suffering badly from inflation. Globally, it was among the worst-performing countries.

    The NIS said it issued and processed 1,056,422 passports in 2021. That figure jumped to 1,899,683 in 2022 — a 55% increase from the previous year and the highest in the Buhari era. Based on the data, the high demand for passports and visas looks likely to continue.

    Stephen Agwaibor

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  • South West Pensioners Demand 35% Increment From BAT

    South West Pensioners Demand 35% Increment From BAT

    During his presidential campaign, the president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BAT), famously promised, among other things, that “farmers will make more money“. While he’s yet to be sworn in, another group of people — pensioners — have come to cash in early on that promise. Because what’s good for the farmer is good for the pensioner.

    Pensioners in the South West of Nigeria under their union, the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP), are demanding a 35% increase in their pensions. They’ve made this demand known to BAT and governors in the South West. 

    [Nigerian pensioners / The Cable]

    What’s the gist?

    At a meeting in Abeokuta on April 3, chairpersons and secretaries of NUP from Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Osun, Lagos and Ekiti states said they want BAT to “show them love”. The SW NUP zone’s public relations officer (PRO), Olusegun Abatan, said the outgoing president Muhammadu Buhari “has done quite a lot for pensioners.” 

    In December 2022, the National Pension Commission approved the increase of retirees’ monthly pension to take effect in February 2023. However, the NUP alleges that governors in the SW still owe retirees huge sums in pensions and gratuities.

    What else do pensioners want from BAT?

    An increase in pension isn’t all the pensioners are asking. They also want BAT to create a separate ministry dedicated to pension-related matters. 

    What’s the FG’s latest response concerning pensioners?

    On March 30, in an unprecedented turn of events, the federal government, through the director-general of the National Senior Citizens Centre (NSCC) Emem Omokaro, said the FG would “create a portal to engage older persons who wish to continue offering services after retirement.” 

    The portal will go live this month, April. Omokaro said, “The aim of the collaboration is also to assist the centre to create an online portal that would engage older persons who are professionals in their different fields of endeavour to tap into their wealth of experiences.” There’s no rest for the wicked and the elderly.

    As seen from their Twitter responses, Nigerians have not taken this news kindly.

    With Buhari already set to leave office, the burden of responsibility on this matter falls on BAT. Will he create a new ministry for pensioners? Will he send retirees back to work to “make more money”? These are questions only time can answer.

    Stephen Agwaibor

    , ,

  • Why is Archivi.ng Digitising 50 Years of Nigerian History?

    Why is Archivi.ng Digitising 50 Years of Nigerian History?

    Have you ever imagined travelling back in time to witness every activity held for Nigeria’s independence in 1960? Or the unveiling of the first iteration of the Naira note in 1973? Or even the real-time events that led to Nigeria’s first military coup?

    Nigeria’s first military president, Gen. Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi [AFP]

    If you have, then we have good news for you. 

    A Nigerian team, Archivi.ng, have decided to help all Nigerians travel back in time — by scanning and digitising 500,000 old newspapers stretching from January 1, 1960, to December 31, 2010. 

    This comprises 18,627 days of Nigerian history one may not have found anywhere else!

    Some newspapers that have been curated so far [Reuters/Archivi.ng]

    How did Archivi.ng start?

    The project started as a weekend hobby, literally. 

    Ex-Editor-in-Chief of Zikoko Magazine, Fu’ad Lawal and his friends decided to spend the weekends on a mission to find one newspaper every day between January 1, 1960, to December 31, 2010.

    And they found out that it wasn’t that hard. In less than five months, they had found 95% of those newspapers.

    But they later decided that finding these newspapers wasn’t enough. How can a simple Google search make 500,000 juicy pieces of Nigerian history available to everyone?

    Their answer was to build a digital home for them by scanning these newspapers, storing them, extracting the text and cataloguing them on—you guessed it— the web via Archivi.ng. 

    Now to the next question.

    Why is their work so important?

    With two points, let’s explain why what they are doing could probably be the next best thing after sliced bread:

    • History no longer needs to die: Even with the best print, newspapers have a lifespan of 50 years. And Nigeria will be celebrating its 63rd birthday this year. These newspapers, these essential bits of history—without being archived—tend to be obliterated from history books. 
    • Complete access to all information: Knowing simple Nigerian history would no longer be impossible. Everything would be right there with a simple Google search.

    How can you support them?

    From buying a ₦15 million scanner to general administrative charges, their work requires huge dedication and huge amounts of funding. 

    They have raised $365 but would need up to $23,000.

    If you love Archivi.ng and its mission to recover Nigeria’s history, you can donate whatever you can to the cause here.

    Chiamaka Dike

    , , ,

  • What Caused the Ajeromi, Ajegunle Fire Outbreak?

    What Caused the Ajeromi, Ajegunle Fire Outbreak?

    Weeks after the fire incident on March 8, 2023, which razed the spare parts market in Akere, Ajegunle, another fire, broke out in Ajeromi, Ajegunle, on April 3, 2023, destroying properties. 

    What happened?

    A young man, Jamal, who resides in the area informed Zikoko Citizen that the fire started around 7:30 p.m. According to him, the fire was from a candle lit by a resident who stepped out briefly. Unfortunately, the candle’s flame caught some items in the room, which eventually spread to another tenant’s gas cylinder and spread across the neighbourhood.

    Was the fire contained?

    Fortunately, the Fire Service responded quickly, but their work was delayed because the roads in the area were narrow, and they couldn’t get their truck to the right position. They had to resort to dragging their water pipe to the affected areas. 

    However, the Fire Service effectively managed the fire outbreak and prevented the fire from spreading, which could have happened quickly due to the nature of housing in the area. 

    Also, although many shops, houses and properties were damaged, nobody got seriously injured, and no fatalities were reported as of press time. 

    The effects of a fire outbreak can be devastating and take people years to recover from. So, we should be extra careful and take preventive measures to ensure these accidents don’t happen.

    When you leave your house, always put out any active fire and turn off electrical appliances to avoid an inferno that may be difficult to contain.

    Tolu Omotesho

    , , ,

  • These Nigerian Musicians Called the Government Out on Their BS

    These Nigerian Musicians Called the Government Out on Their BS

    On March 30, Nigerian rappers Folarin Falana (Falz) and Olanrewaju Ogunmefun (Vector) released a new hit single, “Yakubu”. 

    The song targeted the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, Mahmoud Yakubu, over the alleged manipulation of the 2023 election results.

    The song’s lyrics captured some reasons INEC gave for the February 25 presidential election results not being posted in real-time on the INEC Election Result Viewing Portal (IReV). Amongst them were the technical glitches in the system. 

    It also spoke on the massive election violence witnessed by voters in many polling units across Nigeria, to which Falz had been a victim.

    The song has been met with positive remarks on how the song reflects the poor credibility of Nigeria’s elections. Many Nigerians have also used the song to express their political feelings on the elections and Nigeria’s governance.

    However, this isn’t the first time Nigerian musicians have spoken up for citizens using their creative skills for political activism. 

    Since the 1970s, musicians have called out the Nigerian government for its actions and inactions and requested better governance and accountability. Let’s list them out here:

    1970s

    Fela Kuti’s “Zombie”

    Even though most songs in Fela’s discography are known to be widely anti-governmental,  “Zombie” would always stand out as one of his most acclaimed songs.

    Released in 1976, “Zombie” speaks on Nigerian soldiers and their trait of following orders from their superiors blindly and inhumanely. This later led to the military attack on the Kalakuta Republic, Fela’s creative commune, in 1977.

    The attack on Kalakuta Republic [Yorubaness]

    1980s

    Majek Fashek’s “Prisoner of Conscience”

    In the 1989 hit song, “Prisoner of Conscience”, reggae artist Majek Fashek speaks to the police brutality in his time and how they tend to cut short the lives of future leaders violently. 

    It is interesting to note that police brutality reared its ugly head again three decades later with the #EndSARS protests.

    RECOMMENDED: 9 Old Songs About Nigeria That Proves That Nothing Has Changed

    1990s 

    Daddy Showkey’s “Fire Fire”

    In 1998, John Asiemo (Daddy Showkey) released “Fire Fire”, a song that likens Nigeria to being “on fire” with its many political troubles.

    2000s

    Eedris Abdulkareem’s “Jaga Jaga” (2004)

    The singer’s most famous hit song is “Jaga Jaga”, which speaks to political assassinations, the rising cost of living, fuel scarcity and many more.

    This led to then-president Olusegun Obasanjo banning his song from radio airwaves, but that didn’t stop the song’s popularity. 

    African China’s “Mr President” (2006)

    On this track, the Nigerian singer pleads for presidents, governors, senators, and even the police to lead well and perform their responsibilities with a conscience. 

    Timaya’s “Dem Mama” (2007)

    In 1999, 900 civilians were killed in Odi, Bayelsa State, by the Nigerian Armed Forces in an attack known as the “Odi Massacre”. 

    A native of the ill-fated town, Timaya expressed his sadness about the tragic events and his concerns about Nigeria slipping into chaos from a fresh democracy in his song, “Dem Mama”.

    Sound Sultan’s “Light Up” (2010)

    Before 2010, a huge political expectation from the government was the implementation of Vision 2010. 

    Inaugurated by the then-military president Sani Abacha in 1996, the committee’s terms of reference were to “forge a plan which will ensure that Nigeria is en route by the year 2010, to becoming a developed nation in terms of economic prosperity, political stability and social harmony.” But their promises never came to fruition.

    In this song, Sound Sultan, together with M.I, criticizes their lack of accountability on the project while calling attention to the corrupt practices and money-grabbing antics of Nigeria’s political class.

    2018-2020

    Falz’s “This is Nigeria” (2018)

    Made as a freestyle to Childish Gambino’s “This is America”, “This is Nigeria” speaks to more modern problems on the rise of armed militia such as Boko Haram and fraud.

    Burna Boy’s “20.10.20” (2020)

    “20.10.20” is a sobering memoir of the Lekki Toll Gate Massacre on October 20, 2020. In this song, Damini Ogulu, aka Burna Boy, seeks to pay tribute to fallen comrades of the attack while reminding everyone who was to blame for the massacre – the Nigerian Army.

    Why is it important for musicians to be involved in politics?

    • It can serve as a means of preserving important events in a country’s history
    • It acts as a catalyst for political awareness
    • It can spark conversations and change in governmental policies.

    Chiamaka Dike

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  • What Is Asset Declaration and Why’s It Important?

    What Is Asset Declaration and Why’s It Important?

    When the former director general of the Labour Party presidential campaign council, Doyin Okupe, was convicted on money laundering charges, we reported it. We explained why money laundering is a big deal. 

    When the now president-elect, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was making waves on Twitter over asset forfeiture reports in the US, we explained in our newsletter what asset forfeiture means. 

    President Muhammadu Buhari and his VP, Yemi Osinbajo, are counting the days till they leave office. The code of conduct bureau (CCB) has announced that they should prepare to declare their assets after almost eight years in office. And it’s not just them; outgoing governors and ministers too. As before, we’ll explain asset declaration and why it’s crucial.

    [Buhari (R) and Osinbajo / Premium Times]

    What is asset declaration?

    Asset declaration, as the name suggests, is the disclosure of all assets owned by publicly elected officials and government officials at all tiers to a body mandated by law to do so.

    Why is asset declaration necessary?

    According to Transparency International, an NGO dedicated to fighting corruption globally, asset declaration serves two primary purposes: 

    1. It guards against the accumulation of illicit wealth. This is achieved by allowing oversight of the financial activities of  politicians and senior public officials;
    2. To monitor and prevent conflicts of interest. Decision-making by officials, which should serve the public interest, can be undermined by several factors. They include secondary employment, the ownership of shareholdings or the receipt of gifts and hospitality.

    Which body is in charge of asset declaration in Nigeria?

    The CCB was created in 1979 and was empowered by the 1979 Constitution. It provided a code of conduct for publicly elected officials to follow. The Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, Chapter 58 LFN 1990, gave the CCB the power to establish and maintain a high standard of public morality for government officials.

    Then in 1999, General Abdusalami Abubakar’s Administration enshrined it in Section 153, Third Schedule, Part 1 and Fifth Schedule, Part 1 of the Nigerian Constitution.

    What is the process of asset declaration?

    According to the Constitution, all public officers must declare their assets and liabilities when they resume office and end their tenure.

    [Buhari receives asset declaration form from Chairman of (CCB), Prof. Muhammad Isah / Twitter]

    1. The CCB has a form, and all public officers, whether elected, appointed, recruited, contracted, or by whatever name called, are mandated to collect and sign the form. They can pick it from the CCB office in any of the 36 states of the federation and the FCT.
    1. Within 30 days of receiving the form, you must honestly declare your assets and liabilities, including that of your spouse (if married), who is not a public officer and children under 18.
    1. Only assets and liabilities you own at the time of resuming office are required of you to declare, not those you anticipate. Doing otherwise constitutes an illegal act.
    1. Properties owned outside of Nigeria must also be stated in the form and their values in their respective currencies. Then you go before a high court judge to swear your declaration.
    1. Public officials elected into office must declare when they resume office and when they leave. Those under government employment must declare their assets every four years. The CCB has the responsibility of verifying those assets.

    Have there been any famous examples of assets declared publicly in the past?

    Public officials are not required by law to disclose their assets publicly. They’re only to do so to the CCB. Public disclosure is a matter of choice.

    In 2007, fulfilling a campaign promise, former president Umaru Yar’Adua became the first Nigerian president to publicly declare his assets and liabilities. At the time, his total assets were worth ₦856, 452,892. These include a total of ₦19 million owned by his wife, Turai. His total liabilities were ₦88,793,269.77.

    [President Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan / Premium Times]

    However, President Goodluck Jonathan, who came after Yar’Adua, refused to declare his assets publicly. His reason was that it went against his principles.

    President Buhari and his VP, who came into power on the wave of an anti-corruption campaign, disclosed their assets publicly. Buhari claimed to have around ₦30 million in the bank, while Osinbajo had a balance of ₦94 million, $900,000 and £19,000 in his bank accounts. However, no mention was made of Buhari’s liabilities or his wife’s assets.

    In 2019, the CCB said it could only publicly disclose the assets of former presidents and public office holders’ assets once it received their consent.

    What happens if a publicly elected officer fails to comply?

    According to the Constitution, the penalties for not disclosing assets to the CCB include either a conviction or:

    1. Removal from office.
    2. Disqualification from holding any public office.
    3. Forfeiture to the state of any property acquired in abuse of office or dishonesty.

    If you plan to seek public office, you should now understand all there is to know about asset declaration.

    Stephen Agwaibor

  • Everything We Know About the Abule-Egba Bus Accident

    Everything We Know About the Abule-Egba Bus Accident

    This week starts with unpleasant news:, on April 3, 2023, around 8 a.m., a bus accident happened around Katangua Market, Abule-Egba. This is barely one month after a Lagos state staff bus collided with a moving train, killing two people on March 9, 2023,. 

    What happened?

    Reports from eyewitnesses and passengers at the accident scene said the bus was on its way from Abeokuta. Then the driver started arguing with one of the passengers.

    Unfortunately, the driver lost control, causing the vehicle to somersault and crash into a BRT fence and leaving many passengers injured.

    What’s the government’s response?

    Sadly, there has been no response or statement from the Lagos State Government Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) as of the time of writing this report. But not only that, accident victims could not get the timely services of an ambulance and were left at the mercy of bystanders.

    Given the slow response of emergency services in Nigeria, we must have some basic knowledge of how to help accident victims:

    • Flag down the area as an accident scene to prevent additional casualties.
    • Turn off the ignition in cases where there’s oil spillage to prevent a fire hazard.
    • Call these emergency numbers: 112 or 767. 
    • While accessing the casualty, support the head and neck of accident victims and keep talking to them.
    • Don’t move unconscious people from the vehicle except their lives are in clear danger from fire, explosion or flood. Also, if the accident victim is lying on their back unconscious but breathing, they should be moved carefully with support to avoid twisting the spine.  
    • Conscious accident victims should be removed from the accident scene by bystanders.  

    Hopefully, as we go into the year’s second quarter, these accidents will be lesser and emergency services will develop a better response system. 

    Tolu Omotesho

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  • Special Privileges Only APC Supporters Can Enjoy

    Special Privileges Only APC Supporters Can Enjoy

    It’s been two weeks since the results of the governorship elections on March 18, 2023, were announced. With it, we finally said goodbye to the election season, and now we can focus on surviving the consequences of our actions. 

    However, do you know that if you’re a supporter of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), you’ve automatically subscribed to a shege-free experience in Nigeria for the next four years? 

    Allow me to walk you through some of the benefits you’re entitled to as an APC supporter:

    The police can’t touch you

    It’s not news that Nigerians are often victims of police brutality; after all, it was the reason behind the #EndSars protests in 2020. But, I have great news if you belong to the “E mi lokan” brigade. 

    To be completely free from police wahala for the next four years, you only need to tell the Police that you serve in the Jagaban Army, and they’ll let you go based on esprit de corps. 

    And if you’re not courageous enough for that, quote Portable and say: “I’m a Federal Government liability, I work for the APC, and we own Nigeria”. The police will apologise and send you on your way with kisses and hugs.

    Your properties receive double protection

    On March 28, 2023, the APC National Youth Leader, and Chief of Army Staff of the Jagaban Army, Dayo Israel, shared a picture of his vandalised vehicle in Maitama, Abuja, on his Twitter page. 

    And it’s shocking that despite his position, he doesn’t know that there’s a standard protocol to prevent things like this from happening to APC supporters. All you have to do is follow Sanwo-Olu’s advice – wind up your car windows properly, and voila! Your car immediately becomes invisible to criminals. 

    And besides, everyone knows these things don’t happen in Maitama.

    You get discounts on bus fares

    In February, the Lagos state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, slashed the price of bus fares for all state-owned buses by 50 per cent. Although he claimed it was to reduce the hardship caused by fuel and money scarcity, it won’t be far-fetched to think this was to help him in his re-election bid. But now the elections are over, and he got a second term in office, so we’re returning to the status quo.  

    On March 28, 2023, the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) released ‘PUBLIC NOTICE’ that bus fares will return to 100 per cent effective April 1, 2023. But again, like I already said, this shouldn’t concern you if you support APC. With your membership card, you can get 50% off all trips.

    I find it amusing how every election, people forget the amount of suffering they went through under an administration. Instead, they’d rather lose their conscience and relationships to help a ruling party keep power. At this point, a nationwide therapy session should be held for Nigerians. 

    What else happened this week?

    Youths Appeal to ECOWAS over Election Results

    The 2023 elections can be summed up with one word: Controversial. 

    While some people have begun to move on from their disappointment towards the elections, a group of Nigerian youths, under the Free Nigeria Movement, stormed the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) headquarters on March 28, 2023. They peacefully protested the conduct of the elections by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the results.

    They handed their protest letter to the director of Administration and General Services for ECOWAS, who promised to take appropriate action. It’ll be interesting to see the following line of action the regional body takes, if any is taken at all. 

    Video of the week

    Question of the week

    On March 14, 2023, the CBN released a directive stating in compliance with the Supreme Court rule, the old banknotes will remain the legal tender until December 31, 2023. So far, has this helped with the naira scarcity problem? 

    Ehen one more thing…

    The general census is expected to be conducted by the National Population Census (NPC) from May 3 to 5, 2023. Find out how much this exercise is supposed to cost here.

    Tolu Omotesho

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  • Wait First: Who “Declared” Binani Governor?

    Wait First: Who “Declared” Binani Governor?

    On March 19, 2023, Nigerian Twitter was buzzing with congratulatory messages for Aishatu Binanu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Adamawa state, on her victory at the polls held on March 18, 2023. 

    The mood was especially jubilant as she was said to be Nigeria’s first elected female governor. The outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, and other notable Twitter users like Aloy Chife and J.J Omojuwa congratulated her .

    The celebrations turned out to be premature. There were no credible news reports that announced the victory, and neither had the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Although Binani had won seven local governments out of 18 INEC had announced, she was still trailing behind the incumbent governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, who had won 11. The lead margin was over 16,000, with three LGs still to go. So how, despite these, was the claim of Binani’s victory so easily believed? 

    The fact check agency, Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD West Africa), looked into the origin of the claim. Here’s what they found. 

    A parody account spreads misinformation

    A parody account named @Binani4Governor on Twitter was the originator of this claim.

    The handle had posted results purported to be from Adamawa at 5:39 p.m. on Sunday, March 19, with the caption, “Final results.” But CDD Election War Room was informed by a journalist that results collation at the state collation centre started at about 12:16 p.m. at the state capital, Yola.

    A few minutes past 2 p.m., Fintiri had secured six LGAs, while Binani had four LGAs. Aliyu Hong, the state collating officer for the PDP, announced at the collation centre that thugs snatched the result sheet while INEC officials were collating election results from the wards in Fufore LGA of Adamawa. Regardless, at 6:13 pm, the handle posted a graphic showing Binani with the inscription, “Madam Governor”. But as of 7 p.m., when the collation officer announced another break, 18 of 21 LGAs had been reported.

    Binani had 329,770 votes, while Finitri was in the lead with 346,103 votes. This was when the claim began to go viral on social media, with the “Madam governor” graphic making the rounds.

    The aftermath

    On Monday, March 20, INEC declared the state guber poll inconclusive, with results from one local government, Fufore, yet to be collated as thugs had reportedly snatched the results sheet of the LGA.

    INEC has scheduled April 15 for a supplementary election in the affected LGA. Contrary to earlier claims, Binani has not won the Adamawa guber election. Any such claim is misleading and, therefore, cold zobo.

    In Nigeria’s Electoral Act 2022, only INEC has the power to declare a winner at the federal and state levels. Protect yourself from fake news. Corroborate claims by checking out trusted news sources or from INEC itself.

    Stephen Agwaibor

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  • What is an Interim Government?

    What is an Interim Government?

    On March 29, 2023, the Department of State Services (DSS) revealed in a statement that they’d identified a plot by some key players to install an interim government. 

    They also mentioned that these key players are using protests and petty injunctions to delay the inauguration of newly elected lawmakers, and they’d be monitoring the situation closely. 

    This information has gotten mixed reactions so far. Some people think the DSS should do their job secretly and arrest these “key players”, while others believe the state service is using this as a scare tactic. 

    DSS Interim government

    Regardless of the DSS’s plan, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about interim governments.

    What is an interim government?

    An interim government is also called a provisional or emergency government. And it is set up to manage a country’s transition from one administration to another. You’d usually see this type of government in places facing or recovering from a civil or foreign war or an interregnum. 

    Some examples of countries that have had interim governments are Ethiopia (1991-1995), the Democratic Republic of Congo (2003-2006) and Eritrea (1993).

    Nigeria has had an interim government too 

    The annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential elections by General Ibrahim Babaginda, then Nigeria’s Head of State, led to riots, particularly in the South West. Eventually, Gen. Babaginda stepped down from his position as Head of State and installed Ernest Shonekan as head of the Interim National Government (ING) on August 27, 1993. 

    Ernest Shonekan, as head of the ING, was to oversee Nigeria’s return to democracy, but his government lasted less than three months. On November 17, 1993, he was forced to resign, and General Sani Abacha became Head of State. 

    People favouring an interim government argue it would help Nigeria’s restructuring goal. And having a provisional government for six months after President Buhari’s administration would give enough time for a newly improved Nigerian constitution. 

    But while there is indeed a need for restructuring in Nigeria, handing over to an interim government is impossible solely for this reason: 

    It’s undemocratic and unconstitutional

    According to Section 135 of the Nigerian constitution, after the end of a four-year administration, or eight years in case of a second term, a president cannot extend his stay in power even by one day. Although Section 135 (3) of the constitution permits an interim government where the country’s at war and cannot hold elections

    Installing an interim government would set us backwards by decades and might permanently alter Nigeria’s fragile democratic peace.

    Tolu Omotesho

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